The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Brian Shoop to be Inducted into ABCA Hall of Fame
7/1/2026 10:00:00β―AM | Baseball
BIRMINGHAM β Former UAB head baseball coach Brian Shoop will be inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) Hall of Fame in January 2027, the organization announced Wednesday. Shoop is one of seven members of the Class of 2027. The induction ceremony will take place during the ABCA Convention in Chicago on Jan. 8.
Induction to the ABCA Hall of Fame is the highest honor bestowed by the organization. The ABCA was founded in 1945 and the Hall of Fame began in 1966, with just over 350 inductees so far. To be considered, a coach mustΒ have served as a head baseball coach and been an ABCA member for a minimum of 15 years. Candidates must also have made significant professional and personal contributions to the ABCA, contributed to the advancement of baseball at the local, national, or internationalΒ level, and exemplified high moral character, ethical standards, excellence, and leadership.
"Brian Shoop is as deserving as anyone to be inducted into the ABCA Hall of Fame," said Head Coach Casey Dunn. "Not only was he successful on the field, but the impact he made in the lives of all those who came across his path is remarkable. His Christian influence on the lives of his players, his staff, and those he competed against will live on for eternity. I am honored to have been a part of his journey, and excited that we can honor him here at UAB."
Shoop was the leader of the Blazer baseball program from 2007 through 2020. During his 14 seasons at UAB, Shoop guided the Blazers to 37 victories over nationally ranked opponents and 24 wins against Power Conference programs. He also tutored 13 MLB Draft selections, including current Major League players Graham Ashcraft, Tyler Tolbert, and Garrett Whitlock.
Shoop and the Blazers made program history in 2012 when the Blazers won the Conference USA Tournament championship and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the second time ever. The 2012 campaign was one of four 30-win seasons under Shoop. His most successful stretch came in 2014 and 2015, when the Blazers combined for 68 victories. Shoop earned Keith LeClair Conference USA Coach of the Year honors in 2014 and received the Jerry Kindall Character in Coaching Award in 2015.
Shoop joined UAB after a highly successful 17-year tenure as head coach at Birmingham-Southern College, where he compiled a 699-300-1 record to become the winningest coach in program history. His teams averaged 41 wins per season, captured nine regular-season conference championships and eight conference tournament titles, and advanced to 10 regional appearances, including four regional championships.
Shoop led Birmingham-Southern to national prominence in 2001, guiding the Panthers to a school-record 55 victories and the program's first-ever NAIA National Championship. At the conclusion of the season, he was named NAIA National Coach of the Year and ABCA Region XI Coach of the Year. He later earned Big South Conference Coach of the Year and ABCA Coach of the Year honors in 2004 after leading the Panthers to a 47-win season and an NCAA Regional appearance.
"We all hope that at least once in our life we meet that person, that mentor, that difference maker whose influence triggers an identity that leads to one discovering their purpose for life," said Auburn head coach Butch Thompson, who played and coached under Shoop at BSC. "Brian Shoop has been that person for me. All I expected at Birmingham-Southern was to play ball and get a degree. Lucky me, I got more than I ever imagined from not only a hall-of-fame coach, but a hall-of-fame man. Brian Shoop coached and mentored a lot of lucky young men like me who developed as players and got a degree, but more importantly figured out who they were during their journey due to his gifts. Well done to a more-than-deserving coach, friend and mentor."
Before taking over at Birmingham-Southern, Shoop spent seven seasons as an assistant under Ron Polk at Mississippi State, helping the Bulldogs win three SEC championships, make six NCAA Regional appearances, and reach the College World Series in 1985. During his time in Starkville, he coached future Major League Baseball stars including Will Clark, Rafael Palmeiro, Jeff Brantley, and Bobby Thigpen.
"I enjoyed working with Brian Shoop at Mississippi State so much when I hired him as a graduate assistant, and then when I went to UAB as a volunteer coach," said legendary coach Ron Polk. "He is a Christian man, great family, great coach, and does all the things kids want you to be as a coach. I can't mention anybody any higher than Brian Shoop."
A native of Ohio, Shoop began his coaching career at Malone College, his alma mater, where he was an All-District performer and later was inducted into the Malone Hall of Fame in 1996.
The 2027 ABCA Convention will be held Jan. 7-10 at McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago. The Class of 2027 Hall of Fame induction ceremony is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 8, during the ABCA Hall of Fame Banquet.
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