Odessa College announces new head baseball coach

ODESSA (June 25, 2025) – Odessa College announced today that Coach David Wood accepted the position as the new head baseball coach for the OC Wranglers baseball program.   

OC Athletic Director Wayne Baker said, “David’s impressive record speaks for itself. His recruitment by the Kansas City Royals organization highlights his exceptional talent and potential. At San Jacinto College, his leadership as interim head coach was pivotal. His prior coaching roles at the University of St. Thomas and St. Edward’s University underline his commitment to both academic and athletic excellence. As a former all-conference pitcher and experienced pitching coach, he is poised to bring significant value to the OC baseball program. We are excited to welcome him and look forward to his contributions both on and off the field.” 

The new OC coach said, “I am extremely excited to be joining the Odessa College family. The baseball program has had a very good track record of success and I look forward to continuing the winning ways. I would like to thank Dr. Williams and Wayne for this opportunity. My family and I are looking forward to being a part of the Wranglers family.” 

Coach Wood served as the assistant coach at San Jacinto College in Houston starting in July 2023 before taking the Interim Head Coach position in November 2023 until the present. The team finished the year with a 40-21 record and advanced to the NJCAA Super Regional Tournament. Prior to his time with San Jac, he was the head baseball coach at the University of St. Thomas in Houston, where he helped lead UST to the conference tournament in 2022 in their first year of eligibility. The team finished the 2023 season with its first 20-win season in the school’s history.  

Prior to his coaching position at UST, Coach Wood served as the assistant baseball coach and recruiting coordinator at St. Edwards University in Austin from August 2011 to July 2021. He also ran the strength and conditioning training programs and supervised study halls for the team while helping the team maintain a GPA over 3.0 every semester from Fall 2012.  

During his time there, the team had seven straight NCAA Regional Appearances with one NCAA D2 Championship appearance in 2013 where the team finished in 3rd place. They also won four regular season Conference Championships and six straight Heartland Conference Tournament Championships.  

Wood played in the Kansas City Royals Minor League System for 3 years before starting his coaching career. He completed his college career at Texas State University playing at first base, in the outfield, and as a pitcher, earning 2nd Team All-Conference awards. 

He has an associate degree from Temple College in Temple, Texas and a bachelor’s degree from Texas State University in San Marcos. 

Coach Wood, his wife Randi and their children, Reid, Lukas, and Wrenley will be joining the OC family soon.   

 Portrait of David Wood