Brice Baggarley makes positive impact on NMSU Rodeo

For three years in a row, Baggarley was awarded the Grand Canyon Region “Coach of the Year” title. The Grand Canyon region is made up of colleges all across Arizona and New Mexico. Students from each school vote for the coach they believe gives the most support and opportunities. Every year, Baggarley has accepted this award in June at the College National Finals Rodeo in Casper, Wyoming. 

“It means more to me than a plaque” Baggarley said. “That means the kids are seeing in me what I’m trying to instill. If someone else were to win coach of the year, that would make me feel like I need to work harder.”

Coaching was the last thing Baggarley thought he would be doing after graduating from NMSU in 2016. However, he stuck around to help advance the rodeo program under the instruction of Head Coach Jim Dewey Brown. A native of Yakima, Washington, Baggarley accepted the head coaching position in 2020.

After graduating from NMSU, Baggarley knew he wanted to use his Bachelor’s degree in athletic training to help young athletes. He worked as the head athletic trainer at Mayfield High School in Las Cruces. When Baggarley heard that the head coaching position for the NMSU Rodeo Team was open, he was searching for candidates to take over the program, not even thinking of the job for himself. 

After Baggarley was quickly convinced by family and fellow coaches to apply, he was offered the position and accepted the job with a newfound excitement. 

“I was working 93 hours a week at my old job and it was almost miserable,” Baggarley said. “I wanted to progress the program at Mayfield, but it was almost like the clock just reset every week at my old job.”

Coach Baggarley continues to lead a rodeo team of 55 student-athletes to numerous men’s and women’s titles. Currently in his fourth year of coaching, Baggarley has an opportunity to win Coach of the Year four years in a row, and he is just getting started.