Jake Oester enters his fourth season at the helm of the Urbana baseball program in 2020. He is the ninth head baseball coach in Blue Knight history.
| Year |
Wins (MEC) |
Losses (MEC) |
% (MEC |
| 2019 |
15 (9) |
32 (23) |
.319 (.281) |
| 2018 |
11 (11) |
36 (21) |
.234 (.344) |
| 2017 |
17 (11) |
29 (19) |
.370 (.367) |
Handed the reins just three weeks before the start of the 2017 season, Oester hit the ground running in his first head coaching job. Under the first-year skipper, UU finished 17-30 overall and fifth in the Mountain East Conference North Division at 11-19. The Blue Knights posted a notable regular season win over league champion and NCAA Tournament participant Shepherd.
In 2017, several Blue Knights posted successful seasons under Oester's watch. Brent West (1B), Adam Guay (SP) and Isac Franklin (SS) were named all-conference performers while Guay and Jackson Everman (SP) both earned MEC Pitcher of the Week honors.
Oester brought three-plus years of coaching experience to UU along with three years of professional playing experience with the Chicago White Sox organization.
Oester spent the 2015-16 season at Alderson Broaddus University, where he served as the Battlers' recruiting coordinator. On the field, he was responsible for working with infielders and hitters helping guide the AB program to 31 wins, a conference championship and the team's first NCAA Regional appearance.
Prior to AB, Oester spent two seasons on staff at his alma mater the University of Toledo as a volunteer assistant. At UT, he oversaw development of the outfielders and assisted with the infield. Oester coordinated UT's baseball camps and served as a roving instructor at many other outside showcases.
In 2015, Oester worked hands on with Mid-American Conference Freshman of the Year and Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American A.J. Montoya, as well as MAC Defensive Player of the Year shortstop Deion Tansel.
Before joining UT's staff, Oester played three seasons as an infielder inside the White Sox farm system. He signed as a free agent in 2010 and spent time playing at numerous stages, including the Birmingham Barons at the AA level and Charlotte Knights at the AAA level. Oester noted that he still relies on the knowledge and relationships he developed during his playing days.
Oester graduated from Toledo with a marketing degree in 2009. He started 194 games for the Rockets and ranks 10th all-time in program history with 129 runs scored. For his career, Oester hit.272 with 15 home runs, 34 doubles and 92 RBI.
Oester attended McNicholas High School in Cincinnati where he was a four-year letter winner and ranked as the 45th-best prospect in the state by The Buckeye Scout.
Jake is the son of Ron Oester, a former major leaguer and longtime member of the Cincinnati Reds.
