12/19/2024
Coach Ronnie Coker is a legendary figure in Louisiana high school athletics whose influence transcended the baseball field. A Minden native, Coker began his baseball journey as a standout player, leading Minden High School to a state championship before building a remarkable coaching career that cemented his legacy as one of the state’s most successful and respected coaches.
Over the course of his career, Coach Coker compiled an incredible record of 357-145-1, winning 71% of the 503 games he coached—an extraordinary accomplishment in the sport. His achievements include two state championships, two state runner-up finishes, and nine district championships.
At Parkway High School, where he coached for nine seasons, Coker achieved a 196-75 record. His 1998 team won the 4A state championship with an impressive 31-3 record, earning Parkway a #12 national ranking. The year prior, his team finished as state runner-up. In recognition of his enduring impact, the Bossier Parish School Board renamed the Parkway baseball field Ronnie Coker Field in 2021.
From 2003 to 2007, Coker continued his success at Captain Shreve High School, amassing a 149-49-1 record. During this time, he led the team to a 5A state championship in 2006 (37-3) and a state runner-up finish in 2007 (37-4). His accolades include:
• LBCA Hall of Fame Induction (2019)
• LHSAA Coach of the Year
• Louisiana Sports Writers Association Coach of the Year
• Shreveport Times Coach of the Year (twice)
• Shreveport Times Sportsperson of the Year (2021)
• All-Star Head Coach and Coordinator
Coach Coker’s success was matched by his ability to mentor, motivate, and inspire his players. Former players fondly recall his tough but compassionate coaching style. Jarvis Larry, one of his standout athletes, shared:
“Coach Coker was a very tough coach to play for, but one thing we knew—we were going to win a lot more than we’d lose. He didn’t hesitate to make tough decisions for the team, even if it meant starting a freshman over a senior. He taught us toughness that made college easy. When my University of Louisiana-Lafayette team won the Super Regional in 2000, the first person I called was Coach Coker—collect. He answered because he thought something was wrong. I told him, ‘Coach, we’re going to the College World Series.’ That’s the kind of impact he had—he was tough, but he cared deeply about his players.”
Aaron Lowe added:
“Unfortunately, so many years removed, I’ve probably forgotten more than I remember. But the biggest thing that still sticks with me to this day is how he gave us every opportunity possible to succeed. And unfortunately, a lot of people can’t say they had the same opportunity. At the time, it was very tough to understand and appreciate. I mean, after all, we were a bunch of immature, naive teenagers with authority issues. From all of the countless hours of preparation, practice, instruction, and things we were asked to sacrifice, he showed us what it took to be successful on and off the field.
If you messed up in practice, he made sure you remembered that mistake and got it right in the game—not just for you but to do right by the team. I don’t remember a game that we played where it felt like the moment was above us. It all stemmed from him and the rest of the coaching staff.
A very good example of this was the 1998 State Championship. We got to play at home. We practiced as scheduled the day before, and they made it a fun scrimmage to keep us loose. When we were done, he told us to clean up and that he’d see us in the weight room. What?? The day before the State Championship?? I’m sure he heard some groans or just saw the confusion on our faces. He simply said, ‘We lift on Fridays. Tomorrow’s game doesn’t change that.’ We showed up loose the next day, laughing and cutting up during BP, and went out and handled business like it was a normal Saturday.”
Aaron also shared a humorous memory from his senior year:
“A few days before the championship, other coaches and the administration at the school wanted to play a prank on him. So, they set up a fake meeting after school with him, the Principal, my Mom, me, and lots of other school staff listening in via speakerphone. They told him that I had failed a drug test and was ineligible to play in the game. Without missing a beat, his first response was getting clarification on how involved I could be with the team on game day. No anger for losing his starting pitcher and a key bat in the top of the lineup, no judgment—just immediate care for my well-being and not being completely left out. Or, it could’ve just been a reflection of how good of a pitcher Lee Graves was!”
Coker’s influence extended beyond the field, setting a high standard for everyone he coached or coached alongside. Current Parkway Head Baseball Coach Aaron Wicklund shared a memorable story that highlighted Coker’s consistency and humor:
“One time, JD Stephens and I were scouting a game at Northwood, and JD got hit in the face by a baseball that went through a hole in the net. He was bleeding, and later, while still charting in the stands, Coach Coker came up and asked why there was blood on the chart. After confirming JD was okay, he simply said to JD, ‘You’ll rewrite this later because I can’t read it through the blood.’ That was Coach—tough, but always caring with a little humor thrown into it.”
One of the most bittersweet moments for me is the night of Coach Coker’s visitation. It was a truly heavy day for myself and so many others who had been impacted by him over the years. However, former players at Shreve set up a group chat called “Coach Coker Celebration Shreve” since his passing, and that group is still actively staying in contact.
Reading through quotes from players like Jarvis Larry and Aaron Lowe, it’s clear that Coker’s impact at Shreve mirrors his influence at Parkway. Periodically, we share stories in the group chat, and they almost always lead to me laughing out loud when I check them at work.
As a former head coach myself, I know firsthand how difficult it is to take over a program because so much of its success hinges on the players’ buy-in. Coker not only achieved that once but shaped and changed the culture at two different locations. That will always be one of the most impressive things he accomplished in his career.
Coach Ronnie Coker’s legacy is defined not only by his success on the field but by the lives he touched through his unwavering commitment to excellence. His influence continues to inspire coaches, players, and communities alike. Hosting this Home Run Derby in his name is an honor, and it will remain a cherished tradition to keep his legacy alive for years to come.
