Trevin Sonnier Named Head Baseball Coach at Tyler Junior College
TYLER, Texas — Tyler Junior College has named Trevin Sonnier the 5th head baseball coach in program history, Director of Athletics Doug Wren announced on Friday. Sonnier brings nearly a decade of collegiate coaching experience to Tyler, having coached at Howard College, Abilene Christian University, Dallas Baptist University, and Oral Roberts University.
"We are excited to welcome Trevin and his family to Tyler Junior College," said Wren. "Throughout the hiring process, it became clear that Trevin is a proven leader with a passion for developing student-athletes both on and off the field. His experience, character, and commitment to excellence make him an outstanding fit to lead our baseball program, and we are excited for its future under his leadership."
During his three seasons as head coach, Sonnier established Howard as one of the premier developmental programs in the country. He coached 41 student-athletes who went on to continue their careers at four-year institutions, including 24 who signed with NCAA Division I programs.
"Having both competed and coached against this program, and followed it for years, I am deeply honored to step into the role of head coach. I'm truly honored to be the next coach given the opportunity to guide a team with such a storied legacy that Coach Groth, Coach Wren and Coach Doe have worked to build," Sonnier said. "TJC has set the blueprint for what junior college baseball can look like when an administration and a community get behind it. I'm fired up to get to work, build relationships and compete for championships in Tyler."
In his first season as head coach at Howard College in 2024, Howard posted a 32-21 record and advanced to the NJCAA Region 5 Tournament in Waco while producing one First Team All-Conference selection and five Honorable Mention honorees.
The Hawks followed with a 27-25 record in 2025, earning one First Team All-Conference selection, two Second Team All-Conference honorees, and a Second Team NJCAA All-American. Howard finished the 2026 season with a 31-27 record, capturing the Grayson Regional Championship and advancing to the Weatherford Super Regional. The Hawks also produced one First Team All-Conference selection and four Second Team All-Conference honorees.
Prior to becoming head coach at Howard, Sonnier spent the 2022 season on staff at Abilene Christian University during the Wildcats' inaugural season in the Western Athletic Conference. ACU finished 30-29, advanced to the program's first-ever Division I conference championship game, and earned victories over five Power Conference opponents, including nationally ranked TCU, Texas Tech, and Grand Canyon.
Working primarily with the infielders and baserunners while assisting with the hitters, Sonnier helped oversee one of the most productive offensive seasons in program history. The Wildcats established 71 team and individual school records, including program marks in slugging percentage, doubles, hits, home runs, walks, RBIs, total bases, hit-by-pitches, and stolen bases. Shortstop Bash Randle earned All-WAC honors and was named to the conference's All-Defensive Team.
Before beginning his coaching career, Sonnier - a native of Nederland, Texas - began his college baseball career at TCU where he spent one year as a Horned Frog. He then spent his Redshirt Freshman year at Panola College, earning Second Team All-Conference honors before transferring to DBU. Sonnier was an infielder for Dan Heefner and the Patriots in 2014 and 2015. In two seasons, Sonnier helped lead the Patriots to a pair of trips to the NCAA postseason, including the program's first-ever hosting opportunity, when DBU played host to the 2015 Dallas Regional. Sonnier then graduated from DBU in 2015 and transferred to Oral Roberts for his fifth and final college baseball season.
In 2016, he played all 59 games at shortstop for ORU while leading the Golden Eagles with 11 stolen bases and posting a .308 batting average and was named to the Brooks Wallace Award Watch List, which recognizes the best shortstop in college baseball.
Shortly after the 2016 baseball season, Sonnier signed a professional contract with the Chicago White Sox. He played two years of professional baseball, split between the Chicago White Sox organization and the Washington Wildthings of the Frontier League.
"I'm thankful to my wife and 5 kids for supporting my goals through many moves over the years and not just trusting the process but relentlessly encouraging me to continue my pursuit in this calling. Most importantly I'm thankful to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who placed the calling on my life. We can't wait to plant deep roots in the community. Feather's up."