Hobart and William Smith Colleges Athletics

Brad Cook was named the head coach of the Hobart baseball team in November 2021 to recruit and prepare the Statesmen for a return to play in 2023. In four short seasons, he has overseen Hobart's rise from nine wins in his first season to a program-record 32 wins and a NCAA tournament appearance in 2026.

In just the program's fourth year of varsity play after a 27-year hiatus, Cook guided the 2026 Statesmen to the most successful season in program history. Hobart was 32-15, breaking the program record for wins in a season. The Statesmen went 11-5 in Liberty League play, finishing second in the Liberty League West. Hobart was also the runner-up in the Liberty League Tournament, forcing the if-necessary game on championship Saturday.
 
The Statesmen's postseason resume was good enough to merit the program's second NCAA tournament bid and first since 1992. Hobart earned a 4-1 win over No. 14 Mount Union in its first game in the Salisbury Regional, the program's first NCAA tournament win and first victory over a nationally-ranked opponent. The Statesmen earned a second victory, a 10-1 decision over the Purple Raiders, before being eliminated from the tournament by the regional hosts, the No. 8 Seagulls, 4-3 in 12 innings.

The Statesmen broke more than a dozen season records in 2026, including most hits (464), doubles (94), runs scored (383), stolen bases (124), innings pitched (382.0), strikeouts by the pitching staff (292) and fielding percentage (.979). Hobart led the nation in triples (24) and ranked in the top 25 in fielding percentage (4th), triples per game (6th, 0.51), WHIP (21st, 1.38), walks allowed per nine innings (22nd, 3.37), stolen bases (24th) and shutouts (25th, 4).

Cook's efforts were recognized by his peers with the 2026 ABCA Regional Coach of the Year Award and while he and his assistants were voted the 2026 Liberty League Coaching Staff of the Year Award.

In the summer before welcoming his first recruiting class to HWS, Cook was the pitching coach for the Bourne Braves of Cape Cod League, leading the Braves to the league title.

Cook came to Geneva following three years as the pitching coach at UMass-Lowell. He oversaw the River Hawks pitching staff and assisted in the program’s recruiting efforts. Cook mentored four All-America East selections, including 2019 first team pick Nick Rand. He also developed Josh Becker from a walk-on to an America East All-Rookie Team selection. Cook’s staff was third in the AE in ERA in 2021, walking the fewest batters in a season since 2015.
 
Before locating to Lowell, Cook spent a decade coaching in the Sunshine State, spending eight years as the pitching coach at NJCAA Division I Polk State College and two more as the pitching coach at NCAA Division II Florida Southern. During his time in Winter Haven, Florida, he helped the Eagles to a 306-123 record with his pitchers leading the nation in ERA three times.
 
Cook has coached 11 players selected in the Major League Baseball Draft or signed as free agents. Two, Alec Asher (Philadelphia, Baltimore, Milwaukee) and Gus Schlosser (Atlanta), pitched in the majors.
 
Cook began his coaching career in his hometown, leading the varsity baseball team at Johnson City (N.Y.) High School.
 
Cook is a graduate of Marist College with a bachelor’s degree in special education. He played two seasons for the Red Foxes, winning back-to-back MAAC Championships. The right-handed pitcher was named to the 2002 MAAC All-Tournament Team. Cook transferred to Marist after two seasons at Keystone College. He earned All-America honors as a sophomore with the Giants finishing the year with a 2.08 ERA.
 
After graduating from Marist, Cook went on to play for the Elmira Pioneers of the Can-Am League.
 
Cook also holds a master’s degree in mathematics education from Walden University.

Cook and his wife, Sarah, have two boys, Broderick and Dreux.