The Northwestern Oklahoma State University baseball team would like to announce two coaching changes to their staff. Matthew Bickford, has been promoted to the head JV coach/outfielders/strength-and-conditioning coach for the Ranger program. Nathan Weatherly is being promoted as the director of operations/recruiting coordinator.

Head Coach Ryan Bowen said on the coaching move, "I'm excited to have the opportunity to promote Matt Bickford and Nathan Weatherly to new and expanded roles in our program. Both Matt and Nathan played at Northwestern and are graduates of Northwestern; they are Rangers through and through. I couldn't ask for two better young coaches on our staff and I look forward to seeing the positive impact they will make in our program."

Bickford spent four years playing on the Ranger Baseball team from 2015-2018 as both a starting pitcher and relief pitcher. The Braintree, Massachusetts, native has spent the last two seasons working on the coaching staff. During the past two seasons Bickford has been coaching on the staff as a graduate assistant. He will now take over as head coach of the JV team as well as being outfielder coach and overseeing strength and conditioning.

Bowen says of Bickford, "Matt has already made a great impact in our program and I look for him to do even more in his new role. Matt is one of the smartest young coaches in our region. He can teach every facet of the game and relates well with young players and veteran players. He's a hard-nosed baseball guy and our program is lucky to have him on the field every day."

Weatherly played for the Ranger baseball program from the same time period in 2015-2018 as an outfielder for the team. The El Paso, Texas, native has also spent the last two season as a graduate assistant on the coaching staff. He now takes over director of operations and the team’s recruiting coordinator position.

"Nathan has really emerged as one of the top young recruiters in our region,” said Bowen. “Nathan is a tireless worker and a great communicator. He will continue to work to make connections across the U.S. and bring in talented players to our program. He also will do an outstanding job taking care of the day to day operations of our program. His work makes the experience for our players one of the best at the Division II level.”