Ray Berry, a rising collegiate baseball coach with a strong background in player development, recruiting, and program advancement, is in his first year as the pitching coach for King University Baseball. Berry previously served as the program’s recruiting coordinator before being elevated to his current role.

Coaching Career at King University

Berry was named King’s pitching coach ahead of the 2026 season, where he helped guide the Tornado pitching staff to one of the strongest statistical performances in program history.
• The 2026 staff recorded 350 strikeouts, the second-highest total in school history and the most since 2018.
• King posted its lowest team ERA since 2023.
• Two starting pitchers ranked inside the top 20 in Conference Carolinas in ERA, and two starters finished inside the top 11 in strikeouts.

Before transitioning to pitching coach, Berry served as King’s recruiting coordinator from June 2024 to August 2025, hired at just 21 years old by head coach Brad Hill.
• King signed one of the highest-ranked recruiting classes in school history, rated 29th nationally by Perfect Game for the Class of 2025.
• Several members of that class made immediate impacts in 2026, including seven freshmen combining for over 100 innings pitched, and two freshmen hitting over .300 with more than 100 at-bats.

During the 2025 season, Berry assisted with hitters, defensive development—specifically outfield play—baserunning, and coached first base. The Tornado offense hit .294 and ranked among the top five in Conference Carolinas in home runs and slugging percentage.

Playing Career

Berry was a member of the King University Baseball program from 2020–24, earning the respect of his teammates and coaches as a team captain in 2024.
• He made 44 career appearances, serving as both a weekend starter and reliever.
• He totaled 147 innings pitched and recorded over 100 career strikeouts.

Berry also competed in the Appalachian League as a member of the Bristol State Liners during the summers of 2021 and 2022.

A standout at Chilhowie High School in Virginia, Berry earned First Team All-Region and All-State honors in 2019.

Education

Berry graduated cum laude from King University in 2024 with a B.A. in Business, completing dual tracks in Finance and Management.
• He is a two-time Academic All-Conference Carolinas selection.
• A two-time College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honoree.
• A member of the Chi Alpha Sigma National College Athlete Honor Society.

He is a 2020 graduate of Chilhowie High School in Chilhowie, Virginia.

Last updated: 5/21/26