Trip Couch was hired as an assistant coach by Arizona Baseball and head coach Chip Hale on July 15, 2021. He enters his sixth season with the Wildcats in 2027.
"I am thrilled to add Trip Couch, an experienced college coach and praised national recruiter, to our coaching staff," Hale said at the time of his hiring. "It was crucial we add a relentless and successful recruiter to further the goals of the program we're building, and coach Couch is the perfect person to fill that role. He will make an immediate impact on our current student-athletes and add to our roster by attracting the top talent in the country to join us in Tucson. With the addition of coach Couch, we are building a world-class coaching staff that will help us develop successful players and a championship culture."
With the Wildcats
Couch boasts five seasons and four trips to the NCAA Tournament in his time with Arizona, as well as a Big 12 Tournament Championship, a Pac-12 Regular Season and Tournament Championship, and an appearance in the 2025 College World series. During his five seasons in Tucson, three players have gone on to earn first round MLB Draft selections, including outfielder Brendan Summerhill. Since Couch arrived in Tucson, the Wildcats have also seen five position players earn All-America honors. Under Couch’s guidance, 15 position players have earned All-Conference recognition, including six outfielders.
Following Arizona’s trip to the 2025 College World Series, the Wildcats faced significant roster turnover ahead of the 2026 season. Couch continued to help develop individual talent, as position players Nate Novitske and Tony Lira were each named to the All-Big 12 Freshman Team, while Lira also garnered D1Baseball Second Team Freshman All-America honors. Freshman outfielder Caleb Danzeisen also made tremendous strides both offensively and defensively under Couch’s guidance, while center fielder Carson McEntire led the Wildcats with 10 home runs and 33 RBI.
The 2025 season marked Arizona’s best yet with Couch on staff, as the Wildcats reached the College World Series for the 19th time in program history and captured a second consecutive conference tournament championship, among numerous other accomplishments. Arizona finished the season ranked No. 7 by D1Baseball, marking the program's first Top 10 finish since the 2021 campaign.
Under Couch’s guidance, transfer outfielder Aaron Walton had an outstanding debut campaign with the Wildcats, earning All-Big 12 Honorable Mention honors after batting .320 with 38 extra-base hits and 49 RBI.
Arizona had a tremendous postseason run, securing a first-round bye in the Big 12 Tournament before sweeping its way to a second consecutive conference tournament championship. The Wildcats then advanced through the Eugene Regional and defeated North Carolina in the Chapel Hill Super Regional to earn a trip to the College World Series.
Following the Wildcats season, nine players heard their names called in the 2025 MLB Draft, including four position players. The group was led by outfielders Brendan Summerhill, who was selected in the first round (42nd overall) by the Tampa Bay Rays, and Aaron Walton, who was picked in the second round (66th overall) by the Cleveland Guardians. Arizona's nine MLB Draft picks were the program's most since 2008, tied for third most in the nation, and tied for fifth most in program history.
Despite being picked to finish ninth in the Pac-12 Preseason Coaches Poll, Arizona captured the Pac-12 regular season and tournament championships while earning an NCAA Regional host bid. Players from Couch's recruiting classes played pivotal roles throughout the championship season, with All-Conference pitcher Jackson Kent and outfielder Brendan Summerhill leading the way.
Summerhill, an everyday fixture in the 2024 Wildcats outfield, became the fourth outfielder in three years under Couch's guidance to pick up All-Conference honors. The Chicago native led the Wildcats with a .324 batting average, drove in 59 runs, and notched a pair of crucial walk-off hits including one that clinched Arizona's sixth Pac-12 regular season title.
Couch's 2024 signing class was another talented and diverse group of future Wildcats. The '24 class featured four of Arizona's top 12 prep players, four Perfect Game National Showcase participants, four Area Code Games participants, and more. Three players in the 2024 class were ranked among the top 150 players in the nation, according to Perfect Game.
The 2023 season saw continued success from the Wildcats outfield defense, with Chase Davis, Mac Bingham, and a rotation of right fielders combining to contribute stellar defensive numbers and 10 outfield assists. Davis, the team's everyday starting left fielder, logged five outfield assists, the most by a Wildcat outfielder since 2012.
Following spectacular performances under the guidance of coach Couch, Davis and Bingham both earned a spot on the 2023 Pac-12 All-Conference team, marking the first time since 2012 that two Wildcat outfielders earned All-Conference honors in the same year.
His efforts as the program's recruiting coordinator reeled in another quality group in the 2023 signing class, a cohort that included 10 players ranked in the Perfect Game Top 500 and three who participated in the Area Code Games.
Couch helped steer the 2022 Wildcats to their 41st NCAA Tournament appearance and a 39-25 record that included a winning mark of 17-15 in Pac-12 play. Two positions players under his guidance earned selections in the 2022 MLB Draft: first round pick Daniel Susac and Tanner O'Tremba.
The Wildcats outfield defense, with coaching from Couch, was a bright spot for the team all season long. Regular starters Chase Davis, Mac Bingham, and O'Tremba all posted impressive fielding percentages and combined for six outfield assists.
Couch was also instrumental in building the Wildcats 2022 recruiting class, the program's first under head coach Chip Hale. Arizona's '22 class included four Perfect Game top 10 players from the state of Arizona, seven Area Code Games participants, and three Perfect Game National Showcase participants.
Before Arizona
Coach Couch joined the Wildcats following a four-year stint at South Carolina, where he served as the Gamecocks assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. While in Columbia he helped the program advance to the postseason twice in 2018 and 2021, including a run to the final game of an NCAA Super Regional in 2018.
As the Gamecocks recruiting coordinator, Couch helped build the program's 2020 recruiting class that earned consensus Top 10 praise and a No. 4 national ranking from Perfect Game. Among the standout players developed by Couch at South Carolina is two-time All-American and 2021 Dick Howser Trophy semifinalist, Wes Clarke. During his tenure in Columbia, the Gamecocks had nine players selected in the Major League Baseball Draft.
"I am privileged to join a historic program here at Arizona Baseball," Couch said. "I met coach Hale at Hi Corbett Field in 1999 with USA Baseball and had the privilege to work alongside some legendary Wildcats in Jerry Kindall, Jim Wing, and Bill Kinneberg. This is a tremendous opportunity for me to return to the Tucson community and build on the legacy those men left for us. We are ready to get to work building a successful, sustainable program with the goal of developing champions on the field and off. Tucson is a destination for baseball, and I am excited to hit the recruiting trail with that message and the Block A on my chest. With the help of coach Hale and coach Lawn I know this staff can make Omaha a regular destination for the Wildcats."
Prior to his time with South Carolina, coach Couch spent seven seasons at Houston in his second stint with the Cougars. From 2011-17 he helped guide Houston to two AAC Championships, three NCAA Regional appearances, two of which the program hosted, and one trip to an NCAA Super Regional in 2014. Couch worked with the Cougars outfielders and catchers while assisting head coach Todd Whiting with the coordination of the offense.
Under his direction, the Cougars produced a pair of All-American position players, including utility player Jake Scheiner, who was honored as the program's first consensus All-American since 2006. Houston also picked up three Freshman All-Americans and 19 All-Conference honorees, and one AAC Player of the Year with coach Couch's guidance.
In addition to his first stint with Houston from 1995-2000, Couch has also served as an assistant coach with Texas (2001) and Louisiana-Lafayette (1991-92).
Throughout his coaching career he has made 14 NCAA Regional appearances, three NCAA Super Regional appearances, guided players to 15 All-America selections, and developed 42 position players who went on to become MLB Draft picks.
Prior to joining the UH staff in 1995, Couch served as the marketing and promotions coordinator for the Cougar baseball and football programs in 1994. He also served as a student assistant and bullpen catcher for the Cougars from 1987-1990. Couch was a member of the Team USA coaching staff in 1999.
He is a 1991 graduate of Louisiana-Lafayette, where he earned a bachelor's degree in Restaurant Administration.
Coach Couch is joined in Tucson by his wife, Tiffany. They have two children, Chandler Gray and Kendall Blair.
Trip Couch Coaching History
- 2022-current: Arizona, Assistant Coach
- 2018-21: South Carolina, Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator
- 2011-17: Houston, Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator
- 2002-10: MLB Arizona Diamondbacks, Scout
- 2001: Texas, Assistant Coach
- 1995-2000: Houston, Assistant Coach
- 1991-92: Louisiana-Lafayette, Assistant Coach
Trip Couch Career Highlights
- 15 NCAA Regional appearances
- 4 NCAA Super Regional appearances
- Led position players to 17 All-America selections
- Coached 46 position players who became MLB Draft selections
NCAA Postseason History
- 2025 College World Series (Arizona)
- 2025 NCAA Super Regional (Arizona)
- 2025 NCAA Regional (Arizona)
- 2024 NCAA Regional (Arizona)
- 2023 NCAA Regional (Arizona)
- 2022 NCAA Regional (Arizona)
- 2021 NCAA Regional (South Carolina)
- 2018 NCAA Super Regional (South Carolina)
- 2018 NCAA Regional (South Carolina)
- 2017 NCAA Regional (Houston)
- 2015 NCAA Regional (Houston)
- 2014 NCAA Super Regional (Houston)
- 2014 NCAA Regional (Houston)
- 2001 NCAA Regional (Texas)
- 2000 NCAA Super Regional (Houston)
- 2000 NCAA Regional (Houston)
- 1999 NCAA Regional (Houston)
- 1997 NCAA Regional (Houston)
- 1992 NCAA Regional (Louisiana-Lafayette)
- 1991 NCAA Regional (Louisiana-Lafayette)
*Last updated: 7/15/2026
