Missouri State University-West Plains officials have announced the promotion of Max Bates to full-time assistant coach for the Grizzly Baseball program.
Bates joined the Grizzly coaching staff in June 2025 following an accomplished collegiate playing career and now assumes a full-time role under Head Coach Kadem Tharp.
A native of Columbia, Bates was a standout pitcher at Hickman High School before beginning his collegiate career at North Arkansas College in Harrison, Ark. During three seasons with the Pioneers, he established himself as one of the National Junior College Athletic Association’s (NJCAA) top pitchers, earning NJCAA All-America honors following the 2022 season. In 2023, he posted a 2.94 earned run average while throwing 67 1/3 innings.
Bates finished his collegiate career at Blue Mountain Christian University in Blue Mountain, Miss., where he led the team with 78 1/3 innings pitched over 14 starts during his final season.
Academically, Bates earned an associate degree from North Arkansas College, where he was twice named an NJCAA Academic All-American. He later earned a bachelor's degree in exercise science from Blue Mountain Christian University and was recognized on the Southern States Athletic Conference All-Academic Team.
Since joining the Grizzly Baseball program, Bates has worked closely with the pitching staff while contributing to player development and recruiting efforts.
"We are really excited about bringing Coach Bates to the staff full time," Tharp said. "In his first year as a part-time coach, he bought into the program's goals and vision and made a tremendous impact on the field, across campus and in the community. I only see him continuing to grow in this role as we build Grizzly Baseball into what we know it can become."
Now serving full-time, Bates will continue to oversee the development of the Grizzlies' pitching staff while assisting with recruiting, player development and day-to-day operations of the program.
