SPRINGFIELD – Missouri State head baseball coach Joey Hawkins announced the addition of Cale Johnson to his staff as pitching coach on Monday (June 29).
Johnson joins the Bears after a three-year stint as pitching coach at Dallas Baptist, where he coached two All-Americans, six all-Conference USA selections and five MLB Draft selections – including three top-100 picks – while helping the Patriots to a pair of NCAA Regionals.
“I’m excited to bring one of the best pitching minds in the game into our program,” said Hawkins of his new hire. “Cale brings an extensive resume from both the professional and college ranks that will allow our players to have a coach who has experience with all aspects of pitching, including pitch calling, pitch shape development, velocity training and the mental side. I look forward to Cale creating an identity for our pitching staff that will help us continue to be a postseason program on the road to Omaha. We are thrilled to bring his wife Jess and three kids – Maclin, Sadie and Rhett – to Springfield this summer!”
DBU ranked seventh nationally with a 4.01 ERA in Johnson’s first season in Dallas, and the staff ranked in the top 25 nationally in both strikeouts per nine innings (10.2) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (2.58) in 2025.
Prior to DBU, Johnson enjoyed a nine-year professional coaching career, most recently as the Double-A Pitching Coach for the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Altoona Curve, mentoring more than 40 pitchers that reached the Major Leagues.
His experience also includes time with the Atlanta Braves organization, where he served as Minor League Assistant Pitching Coordinator in 2021 for a World Series championship franchise. In 2022, Johnson was promoted to become the organization’s Pitching Strategist, helping shape pitching philosophies, strategies, and developmental goals across the Braves’ minor league system.
Johnson began his pro coaching career in the St. Louis Cardinals organization from 2015-19, coaching at three different minor league levels, helping the rookie league club that included future MLB All-Star Sandy Alcantara to a Gulf Coast League Eastern Division title.
He began his professional coaching career with the St. Louis Cardinals organization, serving five seasons (2015-19) as a Minor League Pitching Coach. In 2015, he was part of a Cardinals Rookie League staff that won the Gulf Coast League Eastern Division. Four pitchers on Johnson’s staff would eventually reach the Major Leagues, including future All-Star Alcantara. He also helped guide the Johnson City Cardinals to an Appalachian League championship in 2016 and the Peoria Chiefs to the Midwest League Championship Series in 2018.
Originally from Greenville, Ill., Johnson pitched at McKendree University from 2006-09 and was a two-time American Midwest Conference Pitcher of the Year. He was drafted by St. Louis in the 41st round of the 2009 MLB Draft and pitched three years in the organization before closing his playing career with the Frontier League’s Gateway Grizzles.
Johnson earned bachelor’s degrees in both economics/finance and management from McKendree. He and his wife Jess have three children; Maclin, Sadie and Rhett.
Johnson’s hire is contingent on formal approval by the Missouri State Board of Governors at its next scheduled meeting.
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