ULM Pegs Ford Pemberton As New Head Baseball Coach
Matt Riser is now on the search for a hitting coach as well as a recruiting coordinator on his staff. We know this based on reports that Ford Pemberton has taken the head coach position for the University of Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks baseball program. We will briefly analyze who Pemberton will replace, what he is walking into in Monroe, and what hole now needs to be filled for the Tigers.
Who Will He Replace?
Micheal Federica, who served the Warhawks since 2017, finished his tenure in Monroe with a 174-281-1 overall record. In the 2025 season, ULM compiled an even 23-23, including an 8-22 record in Sun Belt competition. Despite the lopsided overall record, the program saw improvement yearly under Federico, such as wins over Coastal Carolina and Mississippi State in the 2024 season. In addition, the MLB took notice as a pair of Warhawks was nabbed. The New York Yankees signed Parker Seay while the Baltimore Orioles signed Chipper Menard.
Before joining the Warhawks, Federico was an assistant for Southern Miss, where he oversaw pitchers and catchers. In his nine seasons in Hattiesburg, the Golden Eagles won five Conference USA championships and competed in four NCAA Tournaments.
Oddly enough, there is a connection to the Memphis Tigers as Federico served on the staff in 2007 when Memphis made history. In that season, the Tigers made the NCAA Tournament for the first time since the 1994 season. Coincidentally, the 2007 appearance is the most recent for Memphis. In his five seasons in the Bluff City, the Tigers saw 13 players drafted, including seven pitchers.
What Is Monroe, Louisiana, Like?
The baseball program in Monroe is honestly similar to the one in Memphis. The Warhawks’ record over the last ten seasons is 193-333-1. With this, Pemberton is a Bossier City native, and the 98-mile drive from home may work in his favor.
We know that Pemberton, and staff, recruits with emphasis on the local talent based on his time in Memphis. This will be a key factor to watch as he builds his new program in his image. Can the current roster be retained? Will players leave Memphis to head to Monroe? These are questions that will soon be answered.
How To Fill A Hole On Staff?
Pemberton was vital in his roles under Riser, and this promotion to his first head coach position speaks to this. For Riser, while his roster does have a gaping hole that needs to be filled, his coaching tree has a branch in Pemberton. The Tigers have been aggressive in their approach to both high school recruiting and the portal.
How will Riser fill this hole? In all honesty, why not contact Federico, as he has a history with the program? In addition, he has a successful one in Memphis as detailed above. This would also keep a footprint in Louisiana for talent as the now former Warhawks head man has a connection with the local high schools.
In closing, the idea of an essential trading of coaches is just one of the avenues Riser and the University can go. No matter the path, we at 4 Star Sports will keep you updated.
