Rudy Darrow - Volunteer Assistant - Baseball Coaches

Rudy Darrow

Title:
Volunteer Assistant

Head coach Pete Hughes announced the addition of Rudy Darrow to the University of Oklahoma baseball coaching staff as the team’s volunteer assistant on September 9, 2015. Darrow, a native of Perkins, Okla., spent four seasons pitching in professional baseball before joining the coaching ranks.

“We’ve got a homegrown guy, who has Division I baseball experience and professional baseball experience,” said Hughes of his staff’s latest addition. “He has versatility. He can coach pitchers and catchers with his background. Even more than what his résumé and skillset brings to the table; we got an even better person and family man, which is any easy addition to our staff and everything that we represent.”

Darrow’s first two years of college ball were spent playing at Labette Community College, where he also wrestled, from 2002-04. From there, he transferred to Nicholls State, where he pitched for the Colonels under head coach Chip Durham.

A 32nd round pick of the Detroit Tigers in 2006, Darrow pitched in the Tigers’ farm system for three seasons. In 2008, an impressive stint in the Arizona Fall League landed him an invite to big league camp for spring training with the Atlanta Braves in 2009 after being traded. Darrow pitched in 113 minor league games, all in relief, and twice reached Double-AA; in 2008 and 2009 with the Erie SeaWolves and Mississippi Braves.

In 2010, Darrow returned to Nicholls to coach alongside Durham. He continued on the Colonels’ staff as the pitching coach through the 2013 season under Seth Thibodeaux.

“It’s a surreal feeling,” stated Darrow. “It’s a privilege and humbling to know I have the opportunity to be a part of a team I grew up watching as a kid.”

At Oklahoma, Darrow will serve as the Sooners’ first base coach and catching instructor.