RRAC welcomes new A&M-Victoria Director of Athletics Bradley Kocher

VICTORIA, Texas (July 24, 2026) – The Red River Athletic Conference welcomes Texas A&M University-Victoria's new director of athletics, Bradley Kocher. He will begin his tenure on Aug. 17.

 

Kocher joins A&M-Victoria from Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio, where he served as senior associate athletic director for external operations and community engagement.

 

"We are excited to welcome Brad Kocher to our Athletics department and our community," A&M-Victoria President Christian Hardigree said. "A&M-Victoria's Athletics teams have a history of excellence, and we are proud to continue that tradition under Brad's leadership and new vision for the future."  

 

Kocher began his athletics career as a starting pitcher for NCAA Division II Edinboro University in Pennsylvania from 1997 to 2000. In 2002, he became head baseball coach at Spotsylvania High School in Virginia. He later served as assistant baseball coach at NCAA Division III University of Mary Washington in 2009. In 2011, he joined NCAA Division II Hillsdale College in Michigan, advancing from assistant baseball coach to director of recreational sports and athletic facilities, and ultimately to assistant director of athletics in 2016.

 

After Hillsdale, Kocher taught Sport Management at Urbana University and Franklin University. In 2022, he became assistant athletic director of external operations at NCAA Division II Central State University.

 

Throughout his career, Kocher has developed strong athletics programs, implemented fundraising strategies to increase donor engagement, and established corporate sponsorship initiatives. He plans to apply these skills at Victoria.

 

"I like to think of a university's campus as a whole, and the Athletics program is the front porch for the university," Kocher said. "We need to foster strong connections to all areas of campus and the community. Our student-athletes are first and foremost students, so we need to make sure they're achieving success both on the field and in the classroom. The university has a strong track record in this area, and I'm looking forward to furthering that mission.

 

"I also want to thank my wife, Rebecca, for her unwavering support and encouragement throughout this journey. Her belief in me and our shared commitment to serving others make opportunities like this possible."

 

Kocher has supported Athletics programs throughout his career by helping to build a strong vision and finding ways to connect the university to all areas of campus, including Student Affairs, academics, the community, and more. He also sees Athletics as an opportunity to promote a service-focused perspective. Kocher enjoys a good challenge, he said, and now he's looking forward to coming to Victoria to help grow what is already established and go beyond that into the future.  

 

"I am honored to be selected by President Hardigree to serve as the next Director of Athletics at Texas A&M University-Victoria," Kocher said. "I want to sincerely thank President Hardigree, Chief Operating Officer Kevin Sheehy, and the search committee for their confidence in me and for the opportunity to lead Jaguar Athletics. Athletics plays a vital role in strengthening institutions and communities."

 

Kocher concluded, "I look forward to working alongside our coaches, student-athletes, faculty, staff, alumni, donors, and the Victoria community to lead a championship culture grounded in excellence, integrity, and a transformative student-athlete experience. I am excited to begin building meaningful relationships across campus and throughout South Texas while working together to elevate Jaguar Athletics. I believe the future is incredibly bright, and I can't wait to get started."