AUBURN, Ala. – Bringing a wealth of pitching knowledge and experience from a pair of Southeastern Conference programs, co-head coaches Chris and Kate Malveaux announced Monday that Ryker Chason is joining Auburn softball as an assistant coach.
"As this sport continues to grow and evolve, pitching continues to play an incredible part in successful programs," said co-head coach Chris Malveaux. "When looking for a pitching coach, we needed someone with high character, a high-level work ethic and has the ability to build a strong pitching staff that can compete in the SEC. Ryker is the one that checks all of those boxes."
"He is an incredible teacher, extremely sharp and truly cares about the ones that he coaches," added co-head coach Kate Malveaux. "In his time so far in the sport, he has quickly risen to the top as one of the elite developers of pitching. He has SEC experience and knows how to recruit in the southeast. We are so fortunate that Ryker agreed to come on board, and we can't wait to get started!"
Chason joins the Tigers after spending the last 10 months as director of pitching growth for OGX Softball in Romeoville, Illinois. The company specializes in using data and human performance science to develop individualized, science-backed programs to elevate softball training and performance.
Prior to his stop at OGX, Chason spent three seasons on staff at Ole Miss from 2021 to 2023, helping the Rebels' pitching staff to a 2.91 ERA in his final season.
"I believe in the vision, work ethic and character of Chris and Kate," Chason said. "They are strong leaders who know what it takes to excel at the highest level in this game. They are going to do things the right way. I am excited to be part of a family atmosphere that grows student-athletes to be successful on and off the field. I know that we will continue to build on the success of this program. I am eager to get started helping the team achieve championship-level performance in all aspects."
The 2023 season also saw the Rebel pitching staff combine for nine shutouts. Ole Miss was anchored by sophomore hurler Catelyn Riley, who earned five ranked victories in the circle. Chason's staff also went 24.1 straight scoreless innings at the Ole Miss Classic in March of that season.
In his second season at Ole Miss, Chason helped Riley burst onto the scene with a team leading 12 wins, the second most by an Ole Miss freshman in program history. As a staff, Chason guided the Rebels to their first no-hitter since March 2014 as Savannah Diederich, Brooke Vestal and Landyn Bruce combined to stifle Tennessee State. Ole Miss also tallied 13 shutouts in 2022, tied for third in the SEC, and posted a 3.34 team ERA.
Chason's debut season in Oxford saw the Rebel staff hold opponents to three earned runs or less in 42 of 58 contests. The season saw two of the most notable pitching performances ever seen in Oxford, with Anna Borgen setting the school record with a streak of 35-straight scoreless innings and Diederich tying the school record with 15 strikeouts in a 3-0 victory over Indiana State.
Chason joined Ole Miss from fellow SEC program, LSU, where he spent four seasons as a student coach on the Tiger staff. Chason assisted LSU head coach Beth Torina with pitching charts and pitch calls. During his three completed seasons with LSU, Chason worked with seven NFCA All-Americans, including four at the pitcher position.
With Chason on staff, LSU put together a successful four-year run, racking up 157 total wins, including 39 in SEC play. The Tigers continued their success in postseason play, winning a NCAA Regional Championship and advancing to Super Regionals in all three completed seasons, including a trip to the 2017 Women's College World Series.
In addition to his work at LSU, Chason served as pitching coach for the nationally renowned Georgia Impact Premier Club in Atlanta for four years, being responsible for scouting. With Chason at the helm of the pitching staff, Georgia Impact captured the 2018 PGF National Championship and finished as the PGF National Runner Up in 2019.
Prior to making the move to Baton Rouge, Chason was an assistant coach at South Georgia State College for the 2016 season. During his stint in Douglas, Georgia, Chason helped the Hawks to a program best runner-up finish in the conference tournament and was responsible for the organization and implementation of the program's camps.
Chason was also a premier athlete in men's fastpitch softball with the United States Junior Men's National Team. He twice competed for Team USA at the WBSC Junior Men's World Championship in 2014 and 2016.
A native of Grand Ridge, Florida, Chason holds a bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies from LSU.