Mizzou softball brings back a familiar face to fill open hitting coach position
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The Mizzou softball team is bringing one of the top hitting instructors in the nation back to Columbia to serve on head coach Larissa Anderson's staff.
On Monday, Tiger Athletics announced that former Mizzou baseball player and hitting coach Jake Epstein will return to Mizzou to serve as Anderson's hitting coach. The move comes after MU parted ways with former hitting coach Jeff Cottrill, following a season where the Tigers finished with the worst batting average in the SEC.
"We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Jake Epstein to our Mizzou softball family," Anderson said in a press release. "Jake is one of the most respected hitting minds in the game, and his ability to develop hitters is second to none. He's been surrounded by some of the greatest minds in sports his entire life. What truly sets him apart is his ability to communicate effectively, his forward-thinking approach to player development, and his sharp analytical skills. He brings a level of insight and innovation that will perfectly compliment our staff. Beyond that, this is a special homecoming for Jake and his family, and we're so excited to have them back in Columbia and part of Mizzou once again."
Epstein most recently worked as an assistant coach at South Carolina in 2024, when the Gamecocks finished the season 36-24 overall and made an appearance in the Durham Regional Final.
However, he may be best known for his work as a full-time hitting instructor with both professional and amateur players. He's worked as a hitting consultant for the Milwaukee Brewers and has personally trained countless baseball and softball players across the nation, including Mizzou's three-time All-SEC outfielder Casidy Chaumont.
As the founder of Epstein Online Hitting Academy, he's worked with some of the biggest names in the game. In addition to his work in Milwaukee, he's also consulted for the Padres and Giants, as well as several Power Five baseball and softball programs.
When Epstein served as Mizzou's hitting coach in 2019, the Tigers finished with a 34-22-1 record. Two of his hitters were selected in the 2019 MLB Draft, as well, with Kameron Misner being taken in the first round and Chris Cornelius picked up in the 16th.
The California-native has lots of experience in Columbia, as he also began his collegiate playing career in the black and gold. He was co-captain of Mizzou 1999 team, following a Big 12 All-Conference campaign in 1998. In that all-conference season, he hit .319 with 10 doubles, 15 home runs, 55 RBI and a 1.105 on-base plus.
Epstein had some power in his swing In fact, Tiger fans may remember him best from his 576-foot home run in the Big 12 Conference Championship game.
Following the 2000 season, he signed with the Anaheim Angels. He played on season of professional baseball, where he hit .336 with 14 doubles, a triple, five home runs and 33 RBI.
He will join a Mizzou softball team that is looking to get back to the NCAA Tournament stage in 2026, after missing out for the first time in 17 seasons in 2025.
