Atlanta native and former Alabama standout catcher and assistant Brock Bennett has been named the volunteer coach on the Bulldog baseball staff; Ike Cousins coach Scott Stricklin announced Friday.
Bennett will work with the catchers, infielders and serve as the first base coach plus be in charge of on-campus recruiting and assist in the coordination of camps. His experience includes stops at Georgia State, Alabama and Georgia Perimeter College (GPC) following his playing career with the Crimson Tide. Bennett replaces Mitch Gaspard, Georgia’s volunteer coach in 2019, after he was hired as a full-time assistant coach by Louisiana Tech.
“We’re excited to have Brock join our staff,” said Stricklin. “Brock is a Georgia native with SEC experience as a player and coach. He brings a lot of energy and knowledge with him, and our players will love working with him.”
Bennett began his coaching career by spending three years as an assistant at GPC under Brett Campbell and Jeremy Brotherton while helping the Jaguars win a pair of region titles. He coached the first-team all-conference catcher all three years, and four GPC players were drafted during his time there. Then, he was named the volunteer coach at Georgia State (GSU) on Greg Frady’s staff. He helped develop catcher Nick Gatewood, who went on the become an 11th-round draft pick of the San Diego Padres in the 2018 Major League Baseball Draft. Bennett had an opportunity to coach at his alma mater when he joined Brad Bohannon’s staff in 2017-18. He comes to Georgia after spending the 2019 season as an assistant coach at GSU. Bennett directed the Panther offense and worked with the infielders.
“I’m excited to be back in the SEC and have the opportunity to continue coaching in the state of Georgia,” said Bennett. “I’m looking forward to working with the Bulldog coaching staff and players.”
A graduate of Greater Atlanta Christian, Bennett was a catcher/infielder at Alabama (2007-11), where he posted a .314 career batting average while starting more than 100 games, including 97 starts behind the plate. He saw action at third base and second base too while setting a single season (21) and career mark for sacrifice bunts (28). As a senior, he batted .338 with 22 RBI and 39 runs scored plus a team-high .992 fielding percentage. During his career, the Crimson Tide advanced to four straight NCAA Regionals including a Super Regional in 2010. He made the 2010 Southeastern Conference All-Tournament team, was named National Player of the Week by College Baseball 360 and garnered a spot on the Johnny Bench Award Watch List. He earned a degree in business management from Alabama. He was selected by the San Francisco Giants in the 33rd round of the 2011 Major League Baseball Draft.
Bennett is married to the former Ashley Skorcz. They have one son, Chandler, who was born on Sept, 24, 2018.
The Brock Bennett File
Born: April 1, 1988
High School: Greater Atlanta Christian, Tucker, Ga.
College: Alabama (2007-11), B.A. in Business Management (’10)
Family: Wife: Ashley; Children: Chandler (10 months)
Playing Career
Alabama (2007-11)
Coaching Career
Assistant Coach, Georgia Perimeter, 2013-15
Volunteer Coach, Georgia State, 2015-17
Volunteer Coach, Alabama, 2017-18
Assistant Coach, Georgia State, 2018-19
Volunteer Coach, Georgia, 2019-present