University of Evansville Athletics

After joining the Aces in 2018, A.J. Gaura enters his third season as pitching coach in 2021.

Under Gaura's direction, the Aces pitching staff saw a sharp decrease in team ERA in his first season in charge of Evansville's pitchers. After posting team ERAs of 5.69 and  6.04 in 2017 and 2018, the Aces recorded a 4.50 team ERA in 2019.
 
Gaura made his way to Evansville after spending two seasons at Mississippi State where he played a pivotal role in the Bulldogs’ trip to the 2018 NCAA College World Series.  After winning the Tallahassee Regional, MSU took two out of three from Vanderbilt in the Super Regional before winning two games in the College World Series in Omaha.
 
In February of 2018, Gaura became the Bulldog’s Volunteer Assistant/Camp Coordinator while also assuming duties of catchers coach and assistant pitching coach.
 
He joined MSU in 2016 and worked as a graduate assistant video coordinator before being promoted to MSU’s coordinator of player development in the summer of 2017.  Gaura was responsible for the organization of all on-campus recruiting, the scholarship and recruiting database and video needs for both player development and advanced scouting.
 
Gaura’s success on the recruiting trail has paid dividends for Mississippi State.  His assistance in recruiting the 2018 and 2019 classes resulted in both being ranked 4^th in the nation by Perfect Game.  His 2020 recruiting class has already been recognized as the #6 class by Perfect Game.
 
A graduate of Austin Peay, Gaura pitched out of the bullpen for the Governors from 2013-15 after transferring there from Iowa Western Community College.  He received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from APSU and remained with the program as a volunteer assistant/camp coordinator in 2016. 
 
While continuing his work with the program, he also continued his education, earning a master’s of science in management.