Cain Returns to Aggieland as Associate Head Coach and Recruiting Coordinator
Jun 21, 2026 | Baseball
COLLEGE STATION – Texas A&M head baseball coach Michael Earley announced the return of Nolan Cain to the Aggies' coaching staff, where he will serve as the associate head coach and recruiting coordinator.
Cain returns to Aggieland after helping guide Texas to a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances, including a run to the College World Series in 2026. Widely regarded as one of college baseball's premier recruiters, he brings more than a decade of experience as a recruiting coordinator and assistant coach at the highest level of college baseball.
"Throughout the year, I put together a very detailed list of potential candidates to become the recruiting coordinator at Texas A&M, and Nolan was always at the top of that list," Earley said upon the hiring of Cain. "When you have an opportunity to pursue someone like Nolan Cain, with his track record, experience, and the relationship I have with him and his family, you have to take that shot. We did, and we were fortunate to get him. This is a major addition to our program and the future of Texas A&M Baseball. Nolan has helped build and recruit at some of the premier programs in college baseball, and he has done it here before. He understands what it takes to win at the highest level, and his ability to identify talent, build relationships, and connect with players and families is the best in the country."
Cain previously spent three seasons on Texas A&M's staff from 2022-24, helping engineer one of the most successful stretches in program history. During his initial tenure, the Aggies compiled a 135-62 record, reached Omaha twice and advanced to the College World Series Finals in 2024 for the first time in program history.
Following his promotion to associate head coach in 2023, Texas A&M matched the second-highest win total in program history with 53 victories in 2024. The Aggies finished as the national runner-up after one of the most dominant seasons in school history, ranking among the nation's leaders in pitching and offense while setting a program record with 715 strikeouts.
Cain played an instrumental role in the recruitment and development of several of the program's most decorated players, including Braden Montgomery, Jace LaViolette and Jackson Appel. During his time in College Station, Texas A&M also secured multiple nationally ranked recruiting and transfer portal classes, including D1Baseball's No. 1-rated transfer class in 2023.
In his first season at Texas, Cain helped the Longhorns post a 44-14 record and capture the SEC regular season title in the program's inaugural campaign in the league. He mentored Buster Posey Award finalist Rylan Galvan, who posted one of the finest offensive seasons by a catcher in program history. Cain also helped develop Texas catcher Carson Tinney, who was named a Rawlings Gold Glove winner following the 2026 season.
Across nine seasons as a recruiting coordinator at LSU, Texas A&M and Texas, Cain has signed eight top-10 recruiting classes, including six ranked among the nation's top five. Each of his last two recruiting classes at Texas were ranked inside the top five nationally by Perfect Game.
Cain's impact on the recruiting trail has translated to professional baseball, helping produce numerous early-round MLB Draft selections. First round picks under Cain's direction include Dylan Crews, Ty Floyd, Montgomery and LaViolette.
Prior to his first stint at Texas A&M, Cain spent eight seasons at LSU under head coach Paul Manieri. The Tigers earned five NCAA Regional championships and delivered a pair of College World Series appearances, SEC regular-season crowns and SEC Tournament titles during his tenure. He served as recruiting coordinator and assistant coach for his final five seasons in Baton Rouge after previously working as the program's coordinator of baseball operations.
Cain was a four-year letterwinner at LSU from 2006-09, where he contributed to the Tigers' 2009 national championship team. He appeared in 73 career games, posting a 7-1 record with 95 strikeouts. During LSU's title run, he went 5-0 and delivered 3.1 scoreless innings in Game 2 of the College World Series Finals against Texas.
Following his collegiate career, Cain signed with the Detroit Tigers organization and spent two seasons in professional baseball, reaching the Double-A level.
A native of Cantonment, Florida, Cain earned his bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies from LSU in 2009. He and his wife, the former Kristen Hobbs, a former LSU softball student-athlete, have a son, Cason, and a daughter, Ryann.
"A lot of people put in a tremendous amount of work on very short notice to make this happen, and once it came together, it happened very quickly. I am grateful for the support of Trev Alberts throughout the process. Our visions for Texas A&M Baseball are aligned, and his commitment to providing the resources necessary to compete at the highest level played a major role in making this happen," said Earley. "We are excited to welcome Nolan back to Aggieland, and we are especially excited to welcome back Kristen, Cason, and Ryann. The Cain family are tremendous people, and we are thrilled to have them back in our program and our community."
Follow the Aggies
Visit 12thMan.com for more information on Texas A&M baseball. Fans can keep up to date with the A&M baseball team on Facebook, Instagram and X by following @aggiebaseball.
Cain returns to Aggieland after helping guide Texas to a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances, including a run to the College World Series in 2026. Widely regarded as one of college baseball's premier recruiters, he brings more than a decade of experience as a recruiting coordinator and assistant coach at the highest level of college baseball.
"Throughout the year, I put together a very detailed list of potential candidates to become the recruiting coordinator at Texas A&M, and Nolan was always at the top of that list," Earley said upon the hiring of Cain. "When you have an opportunity to pursue someone like Nolan Cain, with his track record, experience, and the relationship I have with him and his family, you have to take that shot. We did, and we were fortunate to get him. This is a major addition to our program and the future of Texas A&M Baseball. Nolan has helped build and recruit at some of the premier programs in college baseball, and he has done it here before. He understands what it takes to win at the highest level, and his ability to identify talent, build relationships, and connect with players and families is the best in the country."
Cain previously spent three seasons on Texas A&M's staff from 2022-24, helping engineer one of the most successful stretches in program history. During his initial tenure, the Aggies compiled a 135-62 record, reached Omaha twice and advanced to the College World Series Finals in 2024 for the first time in program history.
Following his promotion to associate head coach in 2023, Texas A&M matched the second-highest win total in program history with 53 victories in 2024. The Aggies finished as the national runner-up after one of the most dominant seasons in school history, ranking among the nation's leaders in pitching and offense while setting a program record with 715 strikeouts.
Cain played an instrumental role in the recruitment and development of several of the program's most decorated players, including Braden Montgomery, Jace LaViolette and Jackson Appel. During his time in College Station, Texas A&M also secured multiple nationally ranked recruiting and transfer portal classes, including D1Baseball's No. 1-rated transfer class in 2023.
In his first season at Texas, Cain helped the Longhorns post a 44-14 record and capture the SEC regular season title in the program's inaugural campaign in the league. He mentored Buster Posey Award finalist Rylan Galvan, who posted one of the finest offensive seasons by a catcher in program history. Cain also helped develop Texas catcher Carson Tinney, who was named a Rawlings Gold Glove winner following the 2026 season.
Across nine seasons as a recruiting coordinator at LSU, Texas A&M and Texas, Cain has signed eight top-10 recruiting classes, including six ranked among the nation's top five. Each of his last two recruiting classes at Texas were ranked inside the top five nationally by Perfect Game.
Cain's impact on the recruiting trail has translated to professional baseball, helping produce numerous early-round MLB Draft selections. First round picks under Cain's direction include Dylan Crews, Ty Floyd, Montgomery and LaViolette.
Prior to his first stint at Texas A&M, Cain spent eight seasons at LSU under head coach Paul Manieri. The Tigers earned five NCAA Regional championships and delivered a pair of College World Series appearances, SEC regular-season crowns and SEC Tournament titles during his tenure. He served as recruiting coordinator and assistant coach for his final five seasons in Baton Rouge after previously working as the program's coordinator of baseball operations.
Cain was a four-year letterwinner at LSU from 2006-09, where he contributed to the Tigers' 2009 national championship team. He appeared in 73 career games, posting a 7-1 record with 95 strikeouts. During LSU's title run, he went 5-0 and delivered 3.1 scoreless innings in Game 2 of the College World Series Finals against Texas.
Following his collegiate career, Cain signed with the Detroit Tigers organization and spent two seasons in professional baseball, reaching the Double-A level.
A native of Cantonment, Florida, Cain earned his bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies from LSU in 2009. He and his wife, the former Kristen Hobbs, a former LSU softball student-athlete, have a son, Cason, and a daughter, Ryann.
"A lot of people put in a tremendous amount of work on very short notice to make this happen, and once it came together, it happened very quickly. I am grateful for the support of Trev Alberts throughout the process. Our visions for Texas A&M Baseball are aligned, and his commitment to providing the resources necessary to compete at the highest level played a major role in making this happen," said Earley. "We are excited to welcome Nolan back to Aggieland, and we are especially excited to welcome back Kristen, Cason, and Ryann. The Cain family are tremendous people, and we are thrilled to have them back in our program and our community."
Follow the Aggies
Visit 12thMan.com for more information on Texas A&M baseball. Fans can keep up to date with the A&M baseball team on Facebook, Instagram and X by following @aggiebaseball.
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