ULM Athletic Communications; featured photo courtesy of ULM Athletics
Ford Pemberton, a well-respected recruiter, player development specialist and Louisiana native, has been named the 13th head baseball coach at ULM, Director of Athletics John Hartwell announced on Wednesday (June 11).
Pemberton will be formally introduced at a press conference Thursday at 1:30 p.m. inside Fant-Ewing Coliseum.
“On behalf of the ULM Warhawks family, I am thrilled to welcome Ford Pemberton as our new head baseball coach,” said Hartwell. “Coach Pemberton’s reputation as a relentless recruiter, an exceptional player development guy, his valuable relationships with high school and JUCO coaches in Louisiana and surrounding states, and his passion in the pursuit of this opportunity made him a clear choice as the new leader of our baseball program.”
“My family and I are extremely excited about joining the University of Louisiana Monroe and its baseball program,” said Pemberton. “I am grateful to Dr. Castille and John Hartwell for this opportunity. We look forward to building and working with a staff in putting together a championship club and aim to play a brand of baseball that Northeast Louisiana, the city of Monroe, the university, fans and alumni will all be proud of.”
A native of Bossier City, Pemberton arrives in Monroe after spending two seasons on the Memphis baseball staff as the team’s hitting coach and recruiting coordinator. While at Memphis, Pemberton guided the Tigers to high-level offensive production. During the 2025 season, the Tigers powered 153 extra-base hits and ranked inside the top five in the American Athletic Conference in doubles per game and home runs per game. The Memphis infield, led by Pemberton, turned 49 double plays, which ranked inside the top 20 nationally. Pemberton coached Second Team All-AAC utility player Seth Cox, who hit .298 with 10 extra-base hits to go along with tossing 21 strikeouts in 22.2 innings pitched on the mound.
In his first season at Memphis, the Tigers launched 68 home runs (fifth-most in program history) and drew 284 walks (third-most in school history) to rank second in the AAC. The Tigers set the single-game program record with seven home runs in a run-rule win over Central Arkansas on Feb. 21, 2024. They also racked up 43 total bases, the second-highest single-game total in school history. Memphis hit five home runs in two different games and recorded 18 multi-home run performances during the season. The Tigers scored 10 or more runs in 13 games and 13 or more runs in 10 games. Under Pemberton’s guidance, Memphis slugger Jacob Compton ranked third in the AAC with 14 home runs.
In addition to power, the Tigers showed speed on the basepaths, leading the AAC and ranking 43rd nationally with 89 stolen bases. Pemberton coordinated infield defense for the Tigers, who turned 54 double plays, good for 12thnationally. On the recruiting trail, Pemberton signed the No. 5-ranked junior college recruiting class in the nation, according to The JBB.
Before his time at Memphis, Pemberton served as the hitting coach and recruiting coordinator at Southeastern Louisiana under head coach Matt Riser, who he later followed to Memphis. At SLU, Pemberton assembled JBB’s No. 2 ranked JUCO recruiting class in the nation for 2023. The Lions captured a series victory at No. 11 Auburn and a midweek win versus the nationally-ranked Ragin’ Cajuns during the 2023 season.
In 2022, the Lions set or tied 14 Southland Conference Tournament offensive records during their run to a tournament championship. Pemberton helped the offense achieve top-10 school marks in doubles, triples and home runs. The team’s 70 home runs led the SLC and ranked fourth in program history. Four Lions slugged double-digit home runs for the first time in school history, and the team topped 100 doubles for the first time since 2010. SLU also led the nation in hit by pitches, paced by Rhett Rosevear, who tied the NCAA Division I single-season record for HBPs. Pemberton’s work with the defense helped SLU post a program-best .978 fielding percentage in 2022.
Pemberton currently serves as a board member of the Louisiana Baseball Coaches Association, a position he has held since 2022. He was a featured speaker at the 2023 LBCA Convention. He is also a member of the American Baseball Coaches Association and served as a speaker at the Bayou/River Coaches Clinic (2017) and the LHSAA Coaches Clinic (2019).
Pemberton launched his college coaching career at Nicholls, beginning as director of baseball operations and camp coordinator during the 2017 season before joining the coaching staff in 2018. Pemberton took over as the Colonels’ hitting coach before the 2020 season and coached base running, instructed catchers and served as the program’s academic liaison. He played a major role in recruiting, practice planning and scheduling.
Before Nicholls, Pemberton coached at C.E. Byrd High School in Shreveport (2014-16) and served as an associate scout for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Pemberton spent time as an assistant coach at Zachary High School and Parkview Baptist High School, helping lead all three programs to the LHSAA State Championship.
Pemberton graduated from Haughton High School and earned a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from Louisiana State University in 2013. He later completed a Master of Science in Sport Administration from Arkansas State in 2019.
Pemberton and his wife, Sarah, have a son, John Ford, and two daughters, Cate and Elizabeth. His father, David Pemberton, is an NLU alum and is a member of the class of 1979.
Pemberton’s hire is pending the approval of the UL System Board.
THE PEMBERTON FILE
PERSONAL
- Born: March 8, 1991
- Hometown: Bossier City, La.
- College: LSU (2013) / Arkansas State (2019)
- Wife: Sarah
- Children: John Ford, Cate & Elizabeth
COACHING CAREER
- 2024-25: Memphis (assistant coach/recruiting coordinator)
- 2022-23: Southeastern Louisiana (assistant coach/recruiting coordinator)
- 2018-21: Nicholls (assistant coach)
- 2017: Nicholls (director of baseball operations/camp coordinator)
- 2014-16: C.E. Byrd High School (assistant coach)
What They’re Saying About Ford Pemberton
Bobby Barbier, Head Baseball Coach, Southeastern Louisiana
“Ford will be a great addition to ULM and the Monroe community. He is a great coach that will bring professionalism and organization to any team he is a part of. I look forward to watching the impact he has on ULM.”
Matt Riser, Head Baseball Coach, Memphis
“I am thrilled for Ford and his family. ULM couldn’t have made a better hire. This is a dream opportunity for Coach Pem, and I have no doubt he’ll do an exceptional job. Pem was my right-hand man for years and played a vital role in building a championship program. He has a sharp baseball mind, unmatched work ethic, and an unshakable will to win. His relentless drive will serve him well, and he will lead Warhawk baseball to new heights.”
Mike Kazlausky, Head Baseball Coach, Air Force
“Coach Pemberton brings a wealth of experience, honor, and integrity to ULM. Ford is well-known throughout the college coaching community for his unwavering character and commitment to doing things the right way. His passion is not just developing young men on the field but more importantly off the field to ensure they become great citizens. Coach Pemberton prioritizes teamwork, hard work, respect for the game, and instilling core values that extend beyond the diamond. As a mentor and role model, he leads by example, shaping not only great athletes but also strong individuals ready to succeed in life.”
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