Chandler Strader, an emerging collegiate baseball coach with a strong background in offensive development, outfield instruction, and program operations, is in his first year in his new role with King University Baseball. Strader returns to Bristol after gaining NCAA Division I experience at Eastern Illinois University, where he helped guide the Panthers to a conference championship and consecutive winning seasons.
Coaching Career at King University
Strader re-joins the Tornado staff ahead of the upcoming season after previously serving in multiple roles within the program. He spent the 2023–24 season as an assistant coach, working directly with hitters and outfielders, assisting with recruiting, and serving as King’s first base coach. Before transitioning into that role, Strader served as a graduate assistant during the 2022–23 season, supporting daily operations, player development, and recruiting evaluations.
During his earlier tenure at King, Strader coached hitters and outfielders through individual instruction and team practice. He assisted with recruiting through campus visits, road recruiting, and player evaluations, and served as the program’s first base coach. He also contributed to daily baseball operations, practice planning, and player development initiatives.
Coaching Career at Eastern Illinois University
Strader spent two seasons at Eastern Illinois University (NCAA Division I) as a volunteer/assistant hitting coach from August 2024 to May 2026, where he helped guide the Panthers to one of the strongest stretches in program history. Eastern Illinois won the 2025 Ohio Valley Conference Regular Season Championship. The Panthers posted back-to-back winning seasons, finishing 31–22 (17–7 OVC) in 2025 and 33–21 (18–9 OVC) in 2026. Strader assisted in developing an offense that led the nation in sacrifice bunts in 2025. He helped increase team batting average, doubles, and home runs from the 2025 to 2026 season. He worked daily with hitters and outfielders on skill development, created defensive positioning plans and opponent scouting reports, and assisted with all daily baseball operations. Strader also recruited prospective student-athletes through on-campus visits, off-campus recruiting, and communication with recruits, and served as the program’s first base coach.
Playing Career
Strader was a member of the Loyola University New Orleans baseball program from 2018–22, contributing to one of the most successful periods in program history. He was a member of the 2021 SSAC Regular Season Championship team. He helped Loyola earn the 2021 NAIA Regional No. 1 Seed and Host Site. He advanced with the program to the 2022 NAIA Regional Final.
Education
Strader graduated from King University in 2023 with a Master of Business Administration (MBA), earning a 3.4 GPA. He completed his Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication (Public Relations) at Loyola University New Orleans in 2022, graduating with a 3.5 GPA.
Honors
He is a four-time SSAC All-Academic Team selection. A three-time Loyola Scholar-Athlete. A four-time Dean’s List honoree. He is a 2018 graduate of Loyola University New Orleans.
