Rust College Promotes John Bates to Head Baseball Coaching Position

John Bates has been named Rust Bearcat new head baseball coach after three seasons as the team’s assistant coach that included a trip to the Black College World Series this past spring. 

Bates replaces Stanley Stubbs, who left after three seasons this past July to become Mississippi Valley State University coach. Bates had also been the recruiting coordinator for the Bearcats the past three years. 

Bates was the interim head coach at Lane College in 2017. Under Bates, Lane improved in six hitting categories, including tops in the SIAC conference in nine offensive categories. He also lowered the pitching earned run average. During the 2018 season, Lane made the conference tournament.

Before the Lane job, Bates was the head baseball/softball coach at Sierra High School 2013-2016.

The athletic department head coaching search began with an overall evaluation of the program, right after Stubbs left. 

It became very apparent with numerous current and former baseball student-athletes that the program is about the family-like atmosphere and amazing culture that exists among the players, coaches and staff. In coach Bates, not only did they find a great coach with a tremendous plan, but promoted someone who is a perfect fit for the baseball program and the college. 

Bates made an immediate impact upon arriving at Rust. In 2018 the team’s batting average was .260. The 2021 team average was .299 and rank No. 5 in the NAIA Division I in steal attempts per game (3.455). 

The Bearcats this year were ranked in Black College Nines top 10 small school poll and were a No. 4 seed in the Black College World Series. 

Bates stated ” I want to thank God for this opportunity to be the Head Baseball Coach at Rust College. The Rust College administration has been very supportive of all the athletic programs. Coach Stubbs has been a great mentor. I want to thank him. We have a good team returning allow with a good group of Freshman coming in. I’m happy to be the next head baseball coach.”