Eddie Jeffcoat played a lead role in jump-starting a Central Oklahoma baseball program that had enjoyed only off-and-on success when he came in as a junior college transfer in the mid-1990s. A no-nonsense, power-hitting infielder with intense competitive drive, Jeffcoat helped turn the Bronchos into one of the most consistent NCAA Division II teams in the country.
Eddie had an immediate impact in his first season in 1994, batting .355 with 14 doubles, five triples, 11 home runs and 44 runs batted in to earn first-team All-Lone Star Conference honors. He played a key role as UCO won a school-record 39 games -- finishing 39-14 -- while winning the LSC title and making the school's first-ever appearance in the Division II playoffs.
The Bronchos knocked off No. 3-ranked Delta State in the first round of the South Central Regional and then overcame a 15-2 deficit to beat host Colorado State-Pueblo 19-17 to make the finals, but Delta came back to beat UCO twice to advance to the Division II World Series.
Jeffcoat had an even better year as a senior to again garner All-LSC recognition, hitting .381 with what was then a school-record 15 homers, 13 doubles, three triples and 51 RBI. A rash of injuries throughout the season limited UCO to a 27-25 record.
Eddie finished his sensational two-year career with a .365 average, 27 doubles, eight triples, 26 homers and 95 RBI. He ended as Central's all-time homer leader and still ranks eighth in that category.
In this week's installment of our look back at some of Central's past athletic greats, here's a brief conversation with Eddie Jeffcoat.
Degree earned at UCO: Bachelor of Science in Education
How did UCO prepare you for success: It prepared me for life after college. Being a college athlete was a big part of that. It taught me to work hard to be able to play and to do good in school. It taught me how to manage time for school, playing and working. All of these I use every day.
Favorite memory at Central: Winning the Lone Star Conference and qualifying for UCO's first NCAAÂ tournament.
Best thing about going to UCO:Â It was getting to play baseball for the university and all the very good friends I met there. From teammates, other athletes, faculty, students and coaches in other sports. I met a lot of good people while I was there.
Who were your favorite professors, coaches, etc: Without a doubt, Wendell Simmons, the head baseball coach at UCO was my favorite coach. He taught me a lot about baseball. Not just as a player, but also things I have carried on to my coaching career. I had a lot of good teachers while I was at UCO, but Dr. Gerry Pinkston and Dr. Karen Dowd were two of my favorites.
If you could give advice to a current student-athlete at UCO, what would it be:Â Take it all in and enjoy every minute of it! It goes by so fast. Some of the best times of my life where when I was at UCO and I would go back in heartbeat.
Career path: What a path! I started coaching and teaching at Washington High school in 1999 and they put me to work. They had me coaching everything - football, baseball, basketball and track. I was there for two years and then went to Central Middle School in Putnam City, where I coached basketball and track for two years. At that time, I was also coaching baseball at Putnam City North. I left there and went to Yukon High School, where I coached basketball and baseball for four years. Then it was off to Mulhall-Orlando for a year, where I coached basketball and baseball. I left there and went to Cashion High School and coached baseball and fast-pitch softball for three years. From there it was off to Tushka High School to coach baseball for three years. I left there and coached baseball at Prague High School for a year. Currently, I coach baseball at Dale High School and am in my sixth year here.
Where do you currently live:Â Shawnee, Okla.
Family: I have three kids. Daughters Karson (15) and Whitley (12) and son Ashton (13).
