TXST BASEBALL
After tumultuous exit from Texas, Pierce finds home with Bobcats
Texas State knows first hand that David Pierce has seen a wealth of success in his career. Now, he is set on making up for all those victories he experienced in the dugout on the visitor’s side of Bobcat Ballpark, having a 14-3 career record as head coach against the Bobcats.
After being the head coach of then-in-conference- rival Sam Houston and Tulane, he led the two programs to five NCAA Tournament appearances and four conference championships before being hired to take over the Texas Longhorn baseball team.
Despite leading the Longhorns to three College World Series appearances and three conference championships after eight seasons, Pierce was let go at the end of the 2024 season.
“I took a blow at Texas,” Pierce said. “I really thought I would take the year off, regroup and see what was next. I didn’t want to retire. I wasn’t ready to do that, [because] I have a lot left to offer.”
Pondering what to do next, Pierce received a phone call from Texas State Head Coach Steven Trout about potential candidates for filling an open position on the Bobcat coaching staff.
However, the call soon turned into Pierce finding a home at Texas State.
“Coach Trout called me to talk about a couple of candidates for his No.3 position,” Pierce said. “We discussed that, and then he called to just check in on me as well. We started talking about his game plan and what he was going to do. I just felt like in that conversation, we came to an agreement or a thought that I could help out with the players and coaches.”
While Pierce is excited to join the Bobcats, both him and Trout had to make sure that Texas State was the right fit for everyone involved.
“We were both transparent with what works best for the program, for him and for me,” Pierce said. “It just kinda happened, so we were very patient, making sure we were crossing our T’s, dotting our I’s and making sure it was a good situation for Texas State as well. It was a pretty easy conversation, so I’m very pleased that we are going to have this opportunity to jump in.
“Just [so I can] be there and fall back in love with the game to be honest with you.”
Pierce will join the Bobcat baseball staff as Assistant to the Head Coach where he will oversee both on and off the field areas for the team.
“We couldn’t be more excited to have David join our staff,” Trout said in an official statement. “The wealth of knowledge and experience he will bring to our program will be a huge asset in all areas. He is a proven winner and has been successful his entire career. We look forward to him helping us win in San Marcos.”
After announcing his official signing two weeks ago, Pierce is ready to get the Bobcats on the right path after last season’s 2729 record.
“I’m excited for the program,” Pierce said. “I think Coach Trout and his staff do a great job. It is a good young staff that is very motivated. I don’t think I would have shown up there if I didn’t feel like we could win. I contribute that to the coaches, and I’m excited about doing that. It’s going to be fun.”
After leading two mid-major baseball programs to success before taking the job at Texas, Pierce learned a valuable lesson from his time with the Longhorns.
“More than anything, you have to lock in what really matters,” Pierce said. “What really matters is being with your players and coaches. There are so many distractions and outside noises that [you have] to be able to manage, respect and control that but [also] stay locked in with your team and coaches. Not letting those distractions affect you.”
Despite not being a head coach for the first time in over a decade, Pierce is embracing his new role with the Bobcats and how he can help the team.
“[It’s going to be] very different,” Pierce said laughingly. “But I’m embracing it. I’m excited about taking a step back and being an extra set of eyes. Just being that guy who had done a lot for the game and been at all levels from high school to mid-major to Power 5 and playing at Omaha.
“My experiences can really help, but they do a great job. So I’m not going to go in and tell you how to do it. I’m just going to be a resource and hopefully that’s enough for us to take that next step.”
Seeing the Bobcat program from afar as an opponent while head coach of both Sam Houston and Texas, Pierce has had a great appreciation for Texas State as a whole.
“They have good facilities, a great campus and a good location, so they’re all good pluses to begin with,” Pierce said. “They work and understand there are a lot of good players out there. More than anything, they understand how to recruit Texas from some of the better high school players to having good relationships with the junior college teams. They have built a fanbase, a donorship and relationships.”
One way Pierce is planning on helping the players is in a mental state of how they can not only get over the hump and push the team to the next level but a belief in themselves. “It starts with the [work ethic and commitment],” Pierce said. “It starts with that and the players’ belief in winning conference championships and regional titles.
“The mind is so powerful that they can allow themselves to work towards that goal. If they can be truly selfless and work towards that plan, the sky’s the limit.”
cmcwilliams @sanmarcosrecord.com Twitter: @ColtonBMc
