Rob Vessell begins his first season as Lions pitching coach, assistant recruiting coordinator and academic advisor.

Vessell was previously the pitching coach and recruiting coordinator at NCAA Division II Henderson State University.

The Russellville, Ark., native was an assistant coach for four seasons at Henderson State. This past spring, the Reddies, who compete in the Gulf South Conference, posted a 34-16 win-loss record and set the school record for wins in a season.

During his four seasons, Vessell coached 21 all-conference players, five all-region players and three All-Americans.

Vessell is a 1999 graduate of Russellville High School, where he was a three-sport athlete earning all-state honors in baseball as a junior and senior.

He played four seasons at NCAA Division II Arkansas Tech University. The former pitcher helped lead the Wonder Boys to a runner-up finish in the Gulf South Conference in 2001 and holds the Wonder Boys’ record for most innings pitched during a career with 63 innings.

Vessell earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education with a minor in health from Henderson in 2005 and earned a bachelor’s degree in general studies from Henderson State in 2007.