ARKADELPHIA, Ark.—Kyle Hope, Ouachita Baptist University's assistant baseball coach since 2012, has been named head baseball coach effective June 1, according to Athletic Director David Sharp. Hope succeeds Jeremy Haworth who has resigned to become head baseball coach at Mississippi College.
 
"We appreciate Coach Haworth's time as head coach of the Tigers," Sharp said. "We wish him nothing but the best as he makes this change."  Haworth compiled a 102-96-1 record as the Tigers head coach and earned 2015 Great American Conference Coach of the Year honors.
 
As assistant coach for the past three seasons, Hope has served as the Tigers' pitching coach, recruiting coordinator and camp director. He has coached Ouachita standout pitchers Davis Ward, now with the St. Louis Cardinals organization; Connor Eller, 2015 GAC Pitcher of the Year; and John Franklin Matros, 2015 GAC Freshman of the Year.
 
Hope, who has 34 years of baseball experience on the high school and collegiate levels, holds degrees from North Texas State University and Henderson State University. He has led Highland Park High School to a state championship and the McKinney Marshals to a league title in the Texas Collegiate League. He also has been named Coach of the Year while at Richardson High School and in the Texas Collegiate League.
 
"Coach Hope has a wealth of experience on different levels and brings a competent approach in all areas of the game," Sharp noted.  "He is an astute student and observer of the game.  I look forward to seeing him implement his philosophies and strategies as our head coach."
 
"I am very grateful to Coach Jeremy Haworth for giving me the opportunity to be an assistant coach at Ouachita," Hope said. "His baseball knowledge, leadership and organizational skills have helped prepare me for this transition.
 
"I would also like to thank Athletic Director David Sharp and President Rex Horne for the confidence they have in me to lead the OBU baseball program," he added. "I am ready to get started and excited to build upon the history and the recent momentum surrounding Tiger baseball."
 
Hope and his wife, Cindy, are the parents of two adult children, Erin Allen and Ryan Hope, and have one granddaughter, Gentry Allen.