PINE BLUFF, AR. – The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) has hired former Northwest Florida State College pitching coach Brad Powell to lead the Golden Lions’ pitching staff.
Powell spent the past four seasons in Niceville, helping guide the Raiders back to national contention. In 2025, his staff powered Northwest Florida State to its first appearance at the NJCAA Division I Baseball World Series in Grand Junction since 2016. That season, the Raiders ranked 16th nationally in fewest hits allowed, 14th in team ERA, and 15th in WHIP. Pitcher Mack Estrada earned Panhandle Conference Pitcher of the Year honors — the first Raider to do so since 2019 — and was drafted in the 10th round by the New York Yankees. Three other pitchers committed to Division I programs: Brock Tapper (Troy), Colin Linder (Arizona State), and Parker Dillhoff (Louisiana-Lafayette).
During his first season with the Raiders, Powell’s pitchers set a school record with 462 strikeouts, leading the Panhandle Conference in strikeouts per nine innings and finishing 15th nationally in total strikeouts. His staff also ranked 13th nationally in fewest walks allowed. That year, six pitchers went on to Division I schools, including Jake Madden, who became the second-highest drafted player in program history when the Los Angeles Angels selected him 118th overall in 2022.
In 2023, Northwest Florida State’s staff ranked fourth in strikeouts and posted the third-best ERA in the Florida College System Activities Association. Another six pitchers advanced to Division I programs, among them Kyson Witherspoon (Oklahoma) and Gavin Black (Mississippi State).
Before arriving in Niceville, Powell spent two seasons at Iowa Western Community College, where the team went 70-14, and three seasons at Doane University as recruiting coordinator and catchers coach. His summer coaching experience includes time with the Quincy Gems, who broke the Prospect League home run record under his guidance, and the Liberal BeeJays, whose staff led their league in ERA and strikeouts en route to a championship.
A native of Palmyra, Nebraska, Powell pitched at McCook Community College and Doane University. He earned a degree in interdisciplinary studies from Doane in 2016. At UAPB, Powell will oversee pitcher development, analytics, and recruiting for the Golden Lions baseball program.
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