Hardball U Coaching Staff

Jeremy Tyson

Jeremy Tyson has been a baseball player or a coach his entire life. Recognition of his playing ability came early in his career and earned him placements on All District and All City teams when he played at Mac Arthur High School in San Antonio, Texas. Upon graduation, he was one of only two baseball players in the city to sign to play baseball for a Division I institution. Jeremy played his freshman year at the University of Houston where he established himself as one of the outstanding pitchers in the nation. When he transferred to Louisiana State University for his sophomore year, he became an immediate impact player working his way into the starting rotation and establishing personal statistics that once again highlighted his talent. While at LSU, he helped lead the Tigers to two consecutive National Championships and was a highly scouted prospect by several major league clubs.

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Jerry Tyson

Coach Jerry graduated from Permian High School in Odessa Texas where he was an All district player in baseball and basketball. He attended Sul Ross State University and lettered four years in both basketball and baseball. He was one of 5 baseball athletes to attend school on a full Herbert Kokernot scholarship. After graduating with honors he signed with the Baltimore Orioles and played in their farm system. After his professional baseball career, he coached baseball, basketball, and football in three different high schools earning several Coach of the Year honors and was elected by the coaches of Texas to coach the South All Star basketball team in Houston. Coach Jerry scouted 5 years for the Chicago Cubs. Coach Jerry's 14u Hardball U team ( Alamo Elite ) finished as the top AAA team in Texas and third in the nation according to the USSSA ratings for 2008. Coach Jerry serves as scout for Hardball U.

Noah Miles

Noah Miles graduated from Monahans High School in Monahans Texas in 2003. While at MHS he achieved many honors such as All-Permian Basin Newcomer of the year, San Angelo Standard Times Sophomore of the year, Texas High School Magazine 3-A Pitcher Top Prospect, Jeff Beck Top 50 Prospects, 2 Time All District MVP, 2 Time All State Pitcher and won a State Championship in the summer baseball league in 2000.

After High School Noah attended Seward County Community College in Liberal Kansas. While at Seward Noah was a member of the back to back Jayhawk West Conference Champs as well as competing in the Njcaa World Series in Grand Junction, Colorado. After completing his Associate of Arts degree from SCCC, Noah attended the University of Texas San Antonio and played for the UTSA Roadrunners. While at UTSA Noah was a member of the 2007 Southland Conference Champions. Throughout his college baseball career he played in the Jayhawk Summer wood bat leagues playing for the Wichita Rattlers, Dodge City Desperados and the Nevada Griffons. Noah completed his Bachelor of Science Degree in Kinesiology from UTSA in 2008. He has worked for Hardball U coaching players ranging in age from 11-18 for 3 years. He has taught private lessons as well as assisting in UTSA, Hardball U, and Sandlot Advantage baseball camps. Miles and his wife Amanda have a daughter Mallory Sue.

James Keithley

James Keithley was a 3 year varsity starter at Reagan High in Austin playing 6 different positions in those 3 years. His honors included All District Short Stop 2 years and was a member of the All City Super Team as a senior.

James attended UTSA on a Division 1 scholarship.During the 3 years at UTSA he started in all games except 4 and played all positions except pitcher. He received All Conference Second Baseman in his sophomore year and All Conference Short Stop his junior year. He also set records for the longest hit streak and came close to breaking the record for runs scored.

After college he was selected by the Washington Nationals and played for 2 years for the Vermont Lake Monsters and the Hagerstown Suns. He started his coaching career during the off season by hosting camps and giving private lessons. James is a dedicated and motivational coach. He believes that the most important aspect of his job is finding a college for our players to attend and play baseball. James believes that their future is just one short step away and it is time to work.

Tim Grant
Coach, Outfield and Pitching Instructor

Coach Grant played his high school baseball at San Fernando High School, in San Fernando, California, where he was a three-year varsity letterman. He gained recognition as a two-time All-District performer in both baseball and football and was an All-State performer in both sports in his senior year. He received a football scholarship to play at UCLA and after two years he enlisted in the United States Air Force. While in the Air Force, his love for the game of baseball led him to slow-pitch softball where he was a 3-time USSSA champion, 2-time NSA champion, and a 2-time Armed Forces Europe champion.

Tim has been coaching baseball and football for over 10 years and his teams have won numerous city and state championships. He coached Pop Warner football teams to 5 city championships, two state runner-up, 1 State championship, and a national finalist. As a baseball coach, he began his career in PONY Baseball and coached teams to two league championships, two All-Star District championships, and a state runner-up. His success led him and a core group of his players to select baseball and this group formed the River City Rage which would later attract a few more players and became the San Antonio Giants in 2003. Tim's nationally ranked teams produced a Super Series National Division 4th place, Super Series American Division 3rd place and an International Baseball Congress (IBC) 3rd place World Series finishes, and a State championship. He has had the honor and privilege of coaching and developing one major league and multiple college baseball players.

Tim is retired Air Force and has a wife Vicki, a son Ryan (who is on the Hardball U coaching staff), and a daughter Erika.


Robb Swain
Coach/ Infield and Hitting Instructor

High School
Ed W. Clark (Chargers) Varsity '79-'81

College
Yavapai College (Prescott, Az) Fall '81-Spring '83
Texas A&M University Fall '83 to Spring '85

Professional
Cleveland Indians '85 to '90 (Highest levelAAA)
Cleveland Indians '91 to '93 (Infield and 3rd base coach)
St. Paul Saints '94 (Infield, Hitting and 1st base coach)

Amateur
Amarillo Texans (NBC Jayhawk League, Infield, hitting and 3rd base coach) '93
TBSA/Powerhouse Lobos Select Baseball Fall 2002-Present

Rocky Thompson
Director of Player Development

Rocky was a two-sport All State performer in Football and Baseball at Thomas Jefferson High School, San Antonio, Texas. He attended Blinn Junior College on a scholarship and earned All-American status in both seasons. He transferred to the University of Texas and was selected as an All Southwest Conference performer. During the 1976 season, at UT, he played the entire season without a strike out while amassing 142 at-bats (AB’s), which is a testament to his hitting expertise. Rocky was drafted by the Chicago Cubs and played professionally in their organization.

Rocky has been coaching baseball and giving private hitting instruction for over twenty years, in the San Antonio area. He has managed two teams to national championships, at the high school select level. In addition, his teams have recorded 2nd and 9th place finishes, at the national level, while coaching Developmental Select Teams in the 13U and 14U divisions.

Rocky currently provides private hitting instruction at the Powerhouse Athletics Training Facility. He has a wife Christine, and two daughters Jennifer and Brittany

Ryan Grant
Assistant Coach, Outfield and Base Running Instructor

Ryan Grant is a product of our baseball training program. He was an intregal part of two state championships and three top-four national championship finishes, while playing for coach Tim, as a member of the San Antonio Giants. He played his high school baseball at William Howard Taft High School, San Antonio TX. He was a four-year varsity letterman. He gained recognition as a three-time All-District performer. In addition, he was an All District honorable mention Quarterback his senior year, in 2008. Academically, he was member to the National Honor Society. He received a baseball scholarship to St. Mary's University and red-shirted in 2009. In 2010, he transferred to Laredo Community College and played center field for the Palaminos.

Ryan is currently working as an assistant coach, outfield and base running insstructor with the Hardball U Lobos Baseball Program.

Josh Blakely
Coach

Josh Blakley completed his first season as assistant coach at McMurry in 2010 where he served as the team's pitching coach. He helped guide senior Dakota Smith to first-team all-American Southwest Conference West Division honors and junior Cory Davis earned second-team all-ASC West Division honors under his direction.

Blakley's previous collegiate coaching experience began in 2009 where he served on the staff at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. He coached first base and was the pitching coach for the Islanders who posted an 18-38 record under head coach Scott Malone who also coached at McMurry University in 1998. Following his college graduation in 2008, he coached a summer team that reached as high as a number 3
In high school, his Lorena team posted a 91-6 record in 3 seasons including winning a state championship with a perfect 31-0 record his senior year. He went 14-0 on the mound with a .88 ERA, and hit .446 with 9 home runs en route to first team all state honors.

As a college ball player, Blakley played two seasons for NCAA Division I UT-San Antonio in 2006 and 2007 where his career record was 11-2. His senior season, he compiled an 8-0 record and posted a 2.32 ERA earning second-team all Southland Conference honors.

Paula Mantlo