CJ Bilbrey enters his second season as the head coach of the Mississippi Valley State University Delta Devils in the fall of 2024. This will be his 18th season coaching at the college level and his 8th as a head coach.
The 2024 Delta Devils were what Coach Bilbrey described as a foundation setting team. MVSU had the second most victories for the program since 2012. Improvements to the locker room and playing surface were completed. Student Athlete experience became a priority while focusing on classroom and player development. 17 Delta Devils were recognized for their achievements in the classroom.
Prior to coming to MVSU Bilbrey served as the head coach at his alma mater Harris-Stowe State University. In four full seasons prior to Covid he became the second winningest coach in the 80 year history of the program. He led the Hornets to back-to-back 30 win seasons in 2017 and 2018. His players were successful both on and off the field. 117 players were honored with American Midwest Academic All-Conference awards. 16 students were awarded as Daktronics Scholar Athletes. He also mentored the HBCU National Pitcher of the Year Stehpen Wells in 2018 and the HBCU National Player of the year in Matt Janocik in 2020.
Bilbrey began his coaching career under the direction of Donnie Hillerman at North Central Missouri College in 2008. The 2008 Pirates seen a 13-game improvement under the staffs first season. From there he moved on to Maryville University where he worked under Mike Sigler from 2009-2012 and helped transition the program from NCAA DIII to the NCAA D II level. At Maryville he served in many different roles including recruiting coordinator, worked with hitters, and eventually became the teams pitching coach. 34 Saints earned achievement from the conference in the classroom while 11 were selected for their performance on the field. In his lone season as pitching coach he helped lower the Saints ERA from 9.17 to 5.21.
After Maryville he went on to work for Tony Stoeklin at NCAA DI Southern Illinois University Edwardsville for the 2013 season before coming back to Harris-Stowe. He served two seasons at Harris-Stowe under David Estes. The Hornets had improvements in both seasons on and off the field. Bilbrey then took over for the next six seasons. After HSSU Bilbrey spent one season at Lindenwood University under the guidance of Doug Bletcher. The Lions made the GLVC tournament while beginning the NCAA DII transition to DI. Bilbrey then went on to become the pitching coach at St. Louis Community College working with Scott Goodrich. The Archers had a 12-game improvement in 2023.
Bilbrey is also a veteran summer ball coach who has coached in several Collegiate Leagues. He guided the Explorers of the Lewis & Clark Summer League to the 2013 League Championship and 2014 Division Championship. In 2022 and 2023 Bilbrey and David Estes led the Shredded Cheese to Carshield Collegiate League Championships. Bilbrey has over 100 career victories in College Summer leagues not to mention his time with high school travel ball. Coach Bilbrey has worked with Team USA Baseball NTIS from 2010-2016.
Coach Bilbrey and his wife Crystal have two children, son Zeppelin, daughter Mary Grace and puppy Willow.
