Justin Wichert begins his fifth season as assistant coach and pitching coach.
Wichert began his college playing career at Cowley County (2001-2003). While at Cowley County, he was selected in the 2003 MLB Draft by the San Diego Padres. After completing his education at Cowley, Wichert became a starting pitcher at William Jewell College in Liberty, Mo. During his first season at William Jewell, the Cardinals set the school record for wins with 47 wins.
Wichert began his college coaching career in the fall of 2006, helping William Jewell in the areas of pitching and strength and conditioning.
In December of 2006, he received his bachelor’s degree in business management from William Jewell.
In 2009, he served as an assistant coach for the Laramie Colts in the Mountain Collegiate Baseball League. The Colts went on to win the league championship.
He also began coaching at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M in Miami, Okla., in 2009. During his three years as pitching coach under head coach Roger Ward, the Norsemen won the conference in 2010 and 2012.
In the summer of 2010, Wichert was the pitching coach for the Weyburn Beavers in the Western Major Baseball League, where the Beavers made the playoffs for the first time in league history.
Wichert was the pitching coach for the Myrtle Beach Shore Eagles during the summer of 2012. He guided the team to a playoff berth in the league’s inaugural season.
In 2013, he was the pitching coach at Pittsburg State University. During the 2013 season, the Gorillas pitching staff had the lowest ERA in nine years and made the playoffs.
During his coaching career, Wichert has had seven pitchers drafted and sign professional contracts.
Wichert played professional baseball as a pitcher in the Frontier, South Coast and Northern Independent professional baseball leagues. While playing professional baseball, he played under many great managers, including Cecil Fielder, Jackie Hernandez and Al Gallagher.
In the summer of 2012, Justin received his master’s degree from Pittsburg State University in health and human performance.
Wichert and his wife, Susie, reside in Fort Smith.
