Butch Rea joined the University of Central Oklahoma baseball coaching staff in August 2024 and serves as the hitting coach for the Bronchos.
Rea spent the 2024 season at the University of Incarnate Word, where he helped with outfielders, hitters, and recruiting. As a team, the Cardinals tallied the most home runs, RBI, and most runs scored in a single season in the Division I era for UIW.
In one season at UIW, Rea coached two student-athletes that received postseason honors. DH Dalton Beck was named the Southland Conference Newcomer of the Year and to the All-Conference First Team, while outfielder Cameron Caley earned second-team status. Beck ended the 2024 season with the most hits, doubles, home runs, RBI, total bases, intentional walks, highest slugging percentage, and most at-bats in a single season in UIW history, while Caley stamped his name into the record book with the most runs scored and most walks in a single season.
Rea joined the Cardinals after spending three years at Cowley College. During those three seasons, the Tiger’s posted a 140-43 record and took two trips to the JUCO World Series where they finished fifth and runner-up. During that time, three student-athletes were drafted, along with naming three All-Americans, four Gold Glove winners, two Players of the Year, and two Pitchers of the Year. In the 2022 season, Rea coached POY Bryce Madron, who was one of only eight players in all of college baseball to have 20 home runs and 20-plus stolen bases. Madron also broke Rea's records for most hits and runs in a career at Cowley College.
Prior to Cowley, Rea spent 2018-20 at Northeastern State University. During that time, the RiverHawks had nine All-MIAA selections.
Originally from Topeka, Kansas, Rea played high school baseball at Seaman High and was a two-time state champion. He spent his collegiate playing career at Cowley College, the University of Central Arkansas, and Northeastern State University.
Rea is married (Abby) and has one daughter (Emzey).
