Clarksville, Ark. – Chad Harris '01 is returning to his roots as the new head baseball coach at University of the Ozarks, the same place where he began his coaching journey more than two decades ago.
     
Harris, who was the assistant coach at Ozarks from 2001-2006, has orchestrated impressive turnarounds at every stop in his coaching career while his teams have flourished in the classroom. 
     
"This is a home run hire for us," said Dr. Sergio Molina, Director of Athletics. "Coach Harris checks all the boxes. He has a knack for turning programs into winners while his teams have thrived in the classroom. I am eager and excited to see how this program develops and what he is able to accomplish. We are proud to hire an alumnus, reputable coach, and a person of his character." 
     
Harris, originally from Hot Springs, was the head coach at NCAA III University of Wisconsin-Platteville from 2019-2026 where he was named Coach of the Year, posted the most conference wins in school history and guided the program to the Conference Tournament three times. He has coached multiple All-Americans in his career.
     
"I am extremely grateful to President Richard Dunsworth, Vice President Amy Zamaripas, Dr. Sergio Molina, and the search committee for this opportunity," said Harris. "While visiting campus, it became clear this university is still an extremely special place. The athletic facilities are phenomenal, and I believe together we can build a competitive baseball program at Ozarks, one that our campus community and the community of Clarksville will be proud of."
     
At UW-Platteville, he guided the program to three conference tournaments and in his first season there, the program doubled its win total (20) from the previous season and posted a program best 14 conference wins. The Pioneers also made the conference tournament for the first time in nine seasons while he garnered Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association Coach of the Year. This season, Harris had both the Conference Player of the Year and Conference Newcomer of the Year and the program broke single season records for most home runs (49), highest fielding percentage (.971) and most strikeouts (273) by a pitching staff. The program also received votes in the NCAA III top-25 poll while producing multiple conference Player of the Week honorees. Additionally, the 2026 Pioneers ranked among the NCAA III top-25 in home runs and the team finished with a .314 batting average. In 2025, Harris guided the Pioneers to four wins against top-10 teams, including a pair of victories against eventual national champion UW-Whitewater. His teams at UW-Platteville earned the ABCA Academic Excellence award six straight seasons and had the highest team GPA in program history in 2025.
     
Prior to UW-Platteville, Harris served as the assistant coach at University of Dubuque for two seasons, helping the program to a conference regular season title, conference tournament title and a pair of wins in the NCAA III National Championships in 2018. Before his stint at Dubuque, Harris started the program at AIB College of Business in 2013. In just his second official playing season, he was voted the Conference Coach of the Year. His 2014 team ranked No. 1 nationally among NAIA institutions in team GPA, earning the NAIA Scholar Team award. 26 players received recognition on the Conference All-Academic Team. In 2014, the team went 24-19 and advanced to the conference championship game. His 2015 team was second nationally in team GPA and led the NAIA with 14 Daktronics Scholar Athletes. On the field in 2015, the team won the regular season conference title with a 16-8 record and again made the conference championship game. Over the span of two seasons at AIB College of Business, Harris coached a combined 17 All-Conference and Gold Glove players and 51 players on the Conference All-Academic Team.
     
As the assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Ozarks, Harris helped the program to a significant turnaround. The program went from just four wins to double digit wins every season thereafter, culminating with a 22-win season in 2005. Harris was part of the Conference Coaching Staff of the Year in 2005. Following his stint at Ozarks, he landed his first head coaching job at Clarke University. In six seasons there, he guided the program from NCAA Division III to NAIA and produced a 22-win season in 2008 after a seven win season the previous year. In just his third year, the program finished second in the conference with a 15-9 record. He had the conference's most All-Academic honorees in both 2010 and 2011 and earned the NAIA Scholar team award both seasons. His 2010 team produced six NAIA Daktronics Scholar-Athletes. His 2011 team had six All-Conference players, the most in program history.
     
Harris was a pitcher at Ozarks during the 2000 and 2001 season. He earned his bachelor's degree in social science from Ozarks in 2001 and his master's degree in administrative studies from Missouri State University in 2005.