Baseball

Larry "Coach 'B'" Bragga is in his 13th season as a member of the Golden Eagle baseball staff, returning to Cookeville in the summer of 2022 to serve as the director of player development.

Prior to his return to Tech, Coach "B" served as the director of baseball player development at Rice University under his son and current Tech head baseball coach Matt Bragga.

Larry graduated from the Ohio State University ( BS in Biology) and from Kent State University ( M.ED in Secondary Administration). A 60-year native of Jefferson, OH, Larry spent six years as a high school biology teacher, and baseball and basketball coach at Ashtabula Harbor High School. After spending two years as a junior/senior high school assistant principal, the next twenty-four years were devoted to secondary administration as a principal in Jefferson then Painesville Riverside in Ohio. After retiring he spent several years as an educational consultant and administrator in Ashtabula County, Jefferson, and Painesville City.

Larry was a city council member for many years in Jefferson before spending almost eight years as the city’s mayor.

Coach “B” is passionate about the value of sports for “fun” and fitness, as well as, experiencing “Life Lessons” through athletics. He is a long-time student of sport psychology. Larry has enjoyed many amazing events as a pilot, dirt-bike racer, and tennis player. He has been an active leader and teacher in his church and continues to grow in his faith.

He has coached, recruited athletes, and directed operations for Matt at Beville State Community College in Fayette, Alabama, and during his first twelve years at Tennessee Tech .

Larry has an eye for talent and the ability to observe positive mental traits needed for competitive leaders. He has had the pleasure of recruiting and coaching many Division I, minor league, and professional baseball players.

Larry and his wife Carol live in Cookeville. They are the proud grandparents of Luke, Emerson, and Elle.