MSU Denver Athletics

Jerrid Oates was named Deputy Director of Athletics at Metropolitan State University of Denver, January 2025 serving as the department's chief operating officer and second-in-command. In this role, he provides strategic leadership for Roadrunners Athletics while assisting the Director of Athletics with the overall management and operation of the department. His responsibilities include oversight of athletics communications, marketing and sponsorships, business operations, sports administration oversight, equipment services, facilities and events, while also assisting with departmental budgeting, capital projects, strategic planning, and policy development. He serves as a liaison to campus partners, the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC), the NCAA, community organizations, and other external stakeholders. 

Oates joined the athletics administrative staff in 2017 as Assistant Athletic Director for Facility Operations before being promoted to Associate Athletic Director for Facility Operations and Game Management in 2019. In 2021, he was elevated to Associate Director of Athletics for Operations, where he oversaw all activities and events at the Assembly Athletic Complex and the Auraria Event Center while coordinating game-day operations for regular season and postseason competition.

Throughout his administrative tenure, Oates has played a key role in developing community partnerships and engagement initiatives that enhance the visibility of Roadrunners Athletics while generating opportunities that benefit both the university and the greater Denver community. He has worked extensively with university constituents and the Auraria Higher Education Center to coordinate facility usage, special events, and operational planning. As a member of the department's senior leadership team, he has helped guide the development of programs, policies, and procedures that support MSU Denver's 16 varsity sports.

Among his most notable accomplishments in administration, Oates served as tournament director for the 2021 NCAA Division II Softball Championships hosted at the Assembly Athletic Complex, oversaw the department's partnership with Major League Baseball during events associated with MLB All-Star Week in Denver, and coordinated the university's participation in the Military Basketball Association Tournament held at the Auraria Event Center. He has also served on the NCAA Division II South Central Regional Baseball Selection Committee.
Prior to moving into athletics administration, Oates spent six seasons as head coach of the MSU Denver baseball program. He compiled 121 victories, ranking among the winningest coaches in program history. During his tenure, the Roadrunners narrowly missed the program's first NCAA Division II Tournament appearance in 2015 and advanced to the RMAC Championship Game after victories over nationally ranked CSU Pueblo and Colorado Mesa. His teams produced five all-region selections, six All-RMAC First Team honorees, and 18 all-conference performers.

Oates also guided the development of future professional talent, including pitcher Julian Garcia, who became a 10th-round selection of the Philadelphia Phillies and the highest Major League Baseball draft pick in school history at the time. His commitment to academic achievement was equally evident, as six student-athletes earned Academic All-RMAC First Team honors and 31 players received conference academic recognition during his tenure.

Before arriving at MSU Denver, Oates served four seasons as head baseball coach at Colorado School of Mines, where he earned RMAC Co-Coach of the Year honors in 2008. During his time leading the Orediggers, 20 student-athletes earned all-conference recognition and 26 received academic all-conference accolades. He previously served as an assistant coach at Colorado School of Mines from 2004-07 and as a graduate assistant coach at Fort Hays State University from 2002-03, helping the Tigers capture both RMAC regular-season and tournament championships while advancing to the NCAA Division II Regional Tournament.

A native of Omaha, Nebraska, Oates was a four-year letterwinner and catcher at Nebraska Wesleyan University from 1998-2001. He earned multiple all-conference honors while helping lead the Prairie Wolves to conference championships and postseason appearances. He remains among the program's career leaders in several offensive and defensive categories and served as a Student-Athlete Advisory Committee representative during his final three seasons.

Oates earned a bachelor's degree in Sport Management from Nebraska Wesleyan University in 2001 and a master's degree in Health and Human Performance Administration from Fort Hays State University in 2003. He is also a graduate of Millard North High School in Omaha, where he competed in both baseball and football.