National Park College (NPC) Nighthawk baseball has announced the promotion of Cole Rodriguez to interim head baseball coach.
Rodriguez served this season as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the Nighthawks, playing a key role in player development, roster building, and the continued growth of the program.
A former Nighthawk pitcher and infielder, Rodriguez returns to lead the program he once represented on the field. He graduated from the University of Toledo with a bachelor’s degree in University Studies and later earned a Master of Science in Sports Administration from Henderson State University.
After NPC, Rodriguez continued his playing career at the University of Toledo and Henderson State University, where he earned All-Conference honors as a right-handed pitcher. Rodriguez then pitched for the Elizabethton River Riders in the Appalachian MLB Draft League and the Portland Pickles in the West Coast League.
“NPC has always been a place with tremendous potential and I’m honored to help lead the next chapter,” Rodriguez said. “Our priority is developing players—especially our sophomores who are working toward the next level—and building a culture that values winning on the field, in the classroom and in the community. When everyone buys into a team-first mindset, success follows naturally.”
Rodriguez succeeds Rich Thompson, who has served as head baseball coach since 2020 and was recently selected to become a Minor League manager in the Seattle Mariners organization.
For more information on schedules, rosters and more, visit Nighthawk Athletics online. Fans can also follow the Nighthawks all season on social media.
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