University of Massachusets Athletics
Baseball
- Title:
- Assistant Coach
- Email:
- ncole@umass.edu
- Phone:
- (774) 210-0311
Nate Cole, who spent eight seasons coaching one of the top pitching staffs in Division II at Southern Connecticut joined the University of Massachusetts baseball program as an assistant coach in July 2015. Cole also directs all recruiting efforts for the Minutemen.
Cole was instrumental in developing right-hander Justin Lasko (2016-19), guiding the former Minuteman into the Friday night slot in the rotation before Lasko was drafted and signed with the New York Mets in 2019. Lasko, who returned to High-A Brooklyn in 2021, left Amherst in possession of multiple program records, including starts (48), innings pitched (311.1) and strikeouts (247).
In his previous capacity at Southern Connecticut, Cole mentored 18 All-conference selections and two All-Americans over the course of eight seasons (2008-15), along with the 2008 and 2014 Northeast-10 Pitchers of the Year. Four Southern Connecticut hurlers signed professional contracts during that span, as well.
Under his direction, SCSU's pitching staffs consistently ranked among the NCAA statistical leaders. The Owls' 2010 pitching staff led all of Division II with a 2.53 earned run average. That figure was the third best in the NCAA, trailing only St. Thomas of Minnesota (2.41) and the University of Texas (2.45).
Cole helped guide SCSU to a school record 45 wins in 2011, as the pitching staff led Division II in earned run average for the majority of the season and finished the year No. 3 in ERA. In 2009, Cole coached the Owls' hurlers to fourth most wins in the Northeast-10 (25) and second fewest losses (20).
Prior to SCSU, Cole was a three-year starter on the mound at Central Connecticut State University. While with the Blue Devils, he was a part of two Northeast Conference championship squads and helped CCSU reach NCAA Regionals in 2004 and 2007. He earned his bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Central Connecticut in 2007.
A native of Wrentham, Mass., Cole was a captain as a senior at King Philip Regional High School where he was a part of the first team in school history to advance to the state title game.
| Nate Cole • Coaching History |
| 2016-present • Massachusetts • Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator 2019 Beanpot Champions |
| 2008-15 • Southern Connecticut • Assistant Coach 2008 NCAA Northeast Regional • NE-10 Tournament 2009 NE-10 Tournament 2010 NCAA East Regional Finalists • NE-10 Champions 2011 NCAA National Semifinalists • College World Series • East Regional Champions • NE-10 Champions 2012 NE-10 Tournament 2014 NE-10 Division Champions Interim head coach (2013-14) |
