Head Coach - Jonathan Freemyer
While at KWU Freemyer coordinated and tracked community service hours, organized and led academic efforts, led in recruitment, helped with community fundraising, and was in charge of the program’s social media accounts.
Prior to his time at KWU, Freemyer was an assistant coach at NCAA Division II Northwestern Oklahoma State University (NWOSU) in Alva, Okla. from 2014 to 2017 under head coach Sam Carel. In 2016-2017, he was named the program’s recruiting coordinator.
During his time at NWOSU, Freemyer coached three all-conference players in Matt Benn (2015), Thomas Bess (2016) and B.A Castro (2017). The 2016 Rangers set the school record for the most conference wins in the Great American Conference (GAC) and the 2017 team achieved the first GAC sweep in school history.
Before entering coaching, Freemyer spent a year in professional baseball in the Tampa Bay Rays organization with The Florida Complex League Rays. Prior to 2021, the team was known as the Gulf Coast League Rays. He signed as an undrafted free agent, playing both infield and outfield. Freemyer had to retire due to a battle with Rhabdomyolysis but witnessed first-hand how one of the top professional teams operated and developed their players.
Freemyer graduated from NWOSU with a bachelor of science in criminal justice with a minor in communications in 2014 and a masters of arts in american studies in 2017. He was a three year letterman on the diamond and a four year letterwinner on the basketball court for the Rangers.
He was the first athlete in the GAC to earn first team honors in two sports. Freemyer finished his basketball career in the top five in NWOSU history in points, rebounds, and steals. As a senior on the diamond, Freemyer was named GAC Player of the Year, set the GAC home run record, and was the first NCAA Division II All-American in NWOSU history with his Third Team NABC selection.
- Third season as head coach of the OU baseball program.
- Has an overall and OU coaching record of 65-40 and a KCAC mark of 45-24.
- Coached one NAIA All-American, one KCAC Pitcher of the Year, one KCAC Freshman of the Year, three KCAC Gold Glove selections, and 11 All-KCAC performers.
While at KWU Freemyer coordinated and tracked community service hours, organized and led academic efforts, led in recruitment, helped with community fundraising, and was in charge of the program’s social media accounts.
Prior to his time at KWU, Freemyer was an assistant coach at NCAA Division II Northwestern Oklahoma State University (NWOSU) in Alva, Okla. from 2014 to 2017 under head coach Sam Carel. In 2016-2017, he was named the program’s recruiting coordinator.
During his time at NWOSU, Freemyer coached three all-conference players in Matt Benn (2015), Thomas Bess (2016) and B.A Castro (2017). The 2016 Rangers set the school record for the most conference wins in the Great American Conference (GAC) and the 2017 team achieved the first GAC sweep in school history.
Before entering coaching, Freemyer spent a year in professional baseball in the Tampa Bay Rays organization with The Florida Complex League Rays. Prior to 2021, the team was known as the Gulf Coast League Rays. He signed as an undrafted free agent, playing both infield and outfield. Freemyer had to retire due to a battle with Rhabdomyolysis but witnessed first-hand how one of the top professional teams operated and developed their players.
Freemyer graduated from NWOSU with a bachelor of science in criminal justice with a minor in communications in 2014 and a masters of arts in american studies in 2017. He was a three year letterman on the diamond and a four year letterwinner on the basketball court for the Rangers.
He was the first athlete in the GAC to earn first team honors in two sports. Freemyer finished his basketball career in the top five in NWOSU history in points, rebounds, and steals. As a senior on the diamond, Freemyer was named GAC Player of the Year, set the GAC home run record, and was the first NCAA Division II All-American in NWOSU history with his Third Team NABC selection.
Assistant Coach - Tanner Wickham
Coach Wickham is in his first season as an assistant coach with the OU baseball team. Wickham will work with the OU hitters and catchers.
Wickham comes to Ottawa University from NCAA Division II, Minot State University (MSU) in Minot, N.D., where he was an assistant baseball coach from 2022 to 2024. In his three seasons at MSU, the Beavers hit .304, scored 1,075 runs, and drove in 978 runs. Wickham coached four All-Central Region NCBWA/D2CCA selections and 13 All-NSIC performers. The Beavers broke 12 team school records and six individual school records in his three seasons at MSU.
Wickham finished playing in 2021 at NAIA Benedictine University Mesa in Mesa, Ariz. In his final collegiate season, he helped the Redhawks to a final ranking of no. 25 in the NAIA Baseball Coaches’ Top 25 Poll and its first NAIA Opening Round appearance. Wickham hit .272 with 19 RBI and seven stolen bases. He had a .927 fielding percentage.
Wickham spent 2019 and 2020 at NCAA Division II, Davis & Elkins College in Elkins, W.V. He was named team captain for the Senators. Wickham appeared in 50 games, including eight in a CoVID-19-shortened 2020. In his two years as a member of the Senators baseball team, Wickham went 32-for-153 (.209) at the plate, driving in 11 runs. He walked 19 times and stole six bases.
He was also the coach of the Wickenburg Juniors Baseball team in the summer of 2017. The team went from a record of 3-10 in 2016 to a record of 10-3 in 2017, qualifying for the championship game.
Wickham earned his bachelors degree in general studies from MSU in July of 2022. He received his masters in sports management from MSU in May of 2024.
Assistant Coach - Ethan Wilson
Coach Wilson is in his first season as an assistant coach with the OU baseball team. He will work with the Brave pitchers.
Wilson comes to Ottawa University from Kansas Wesleyan University where he was an assistant coach with the Coyote baseball team from 2022 to 2024. As a KWU baseball coaching staff member, Wilson was a graduate assistant, pitching coach, recruiting coordinator, and varsity reserve head coach. KWU captured the 2023 and 2024 KCAC regular season championship and he led the KWU varsity reserve team to a 2024 KCAC Championship. The Coyotes also qualified for three straight NAIA Opening Round appearances and advanced to the 2024 NAIA Baseball World Series.
During his time at KWU, Wilson interned at Thackerville High School in the summer of 2021, assisting with football and baseball. He also was the strength and conditioning coach.
Wilson was a three-year member of the KWU baseball team. In 2021 he tied the KWU school record for most appearances in a single season. In 2022, Wilson had a record of 3-1 and threw over 40 innings.
Before attending KWU, Wilson attended Northern Oklahoma College – Tonkawa. In his two seasons at NOC-Tonkawa, he had a record of 9-1, mainly as a reliever. Wilson finished with a 3.91 ERA and threw over 50 innings his sophomore season. He helped NOC-Tonkawa reach a top 5 ranking in the nation each of his two seasons.
Wilson earned his MBA with an emphasis in sports administration from Kansas Wesleyan University in May 2024. He graduated from KWU with a degree in exercise science in May 2022. Wilson was a member of SAAC and FCA. He earned his associate in science from NOC-Tonkawa in May 2019.
Graduate Assistant - Alex Kuhn
Coach Kuhn is in his second season as a graduate assistant coach with the OU baseball program. He will be working with the OU pitchers.
Kuhn was a two year letterman on the baseball diamond for the Braves. He finished his two year career at OU with a 6.41 ERA, striking out 14 in 19.2 innings. Kuhn scored 17 runs and stole 11 bases in 2023.
Prior to coming to Ottawa University, Kuhn played at NCAA Division II Eastern New Mexico University. He hit .293 and had an on base percentage of .361 in 36 games. Kuhn also hit two home runs and stole nine bases.
In the summer of 2023, Kuhn was an assistant coach with the 505 Panthers. He helped them qualify for the Connie Mack World Series. Kuhn coached first base, called pitches, and helped with the 505 Panthers hitting.
He graduated from Ottawa University with a degree in sports management in May of 2023 and is working on his masters in sports business.
Kuhn was a two year letterman on the baseball diamond for the Braves. He finished his two year career at OU with a 6.41 ERA, striking out 14 in 19.2 innings. Kuhn scored 17 runs and stole 11 bases in 2023.
Prior to coming to Ottawa University, Kuhn played at NCAA Division II Eastern New Mexico University. He hit .293 and had an on base percentage of .361 in 36 games. Kuhn also hit two home runs and stole nine bases.
In the summer of 2023, Kuhn was an assistant coach with the 505 Panthers. He helped them qualify for the Connie Mack World Series. Kuhn coached first base, called pitches, and helped with the 505 Panthers hitting.
He graduated from Ottawa University with a degree in sports management in May of 2023 and is working on his masters in sports business.
Graduate Assistant - Keaton Banister
Coach Banister is in his first season as a graduate assistant with the OU baseball program.
Banister was a two year letterman on the baseball diamond for the Braves. Prior to his two seasons at OU, Banister was a member of the baseball team at Pierce College.
At Pierce College, Banister played in 14 games as a freshman. He had a .263 (5-for-19) batting average, scored six runs, drove in three, walked seven times, had four stolen bases, and finished the season with a .462 on base percentage, and a .263 slugging percentage.
He was on the Dean’s List in 2023 and 2024, graduated Suma Cum Laude, and was named to the SIGMA ALPHA ALPHA Honor Society in 2024.
Banister graduated from Pierce College with AA and earned his degree in communication studies from Ottawa University in May 2024. He is working on his masters in business leadership from Ottawa University.
Banister was a two year letterman on the baseball diamond for the Braves. Prior to his two seasons at OU, Banister was a member of the baseball team at Pierce College.
At Pierce College, Banister played in 14 games as a freshman. He had a .263 (5-for-19) batting average, scored six runs, drove in three, walked seven times, had four stolen bases, and finished the season with a .462 on base percentage, and a .263 slugging percentage.
He was on the Dean’s List in 2023 and 2024, graduated Suma Cum Laude, and was named to the SIGMA ALPHA ALPHA Honor Society in 2024.
Banister graduated from Pierce College with AA and earned his degree in communication studies from Ottawa University in May 2024. He is working on his masters in business leadership from Ottawa University.
