Roland Fanning

Roland Lee Fanning (born April 12, 1983) is a baseball coach and former player, who is the current head baseball coach of the Austin Peay Governors. He played college baseball at Carl Albert State, Northern Oklahoma Enid and Southeastern Oklahoma.

Playing career
Fanning grew up in Lehigh, Coal County, Oklahoma, where he attended Coalgate High School, where he excelled as a Center fielder and was selected as All-State baseball player for the Wildcats, and earn letters in football, basketball, and track.

On the gridiron for the Wildcats, Fanning dominated as a wide receiver and defensive back. During his junior season he set an Oklahoma Class A record for most receptions (90) in a single season, this record stood for 21 years. As a Senior, Fanning was selected as District’s Defensive Most Value Player along with Special Team Player of the Year. In his high school football career Fanning had 136 receptions, 2184 receiving yards, and 21 receiving touchdowns.

Fanning was a multi season starter for the basketball team and participated in the 4x100 metres relay.

After high school, Fanning played college baseball at Carl Albert State and Northern Oklahoma Enid for a year apiece, before finishing his career as a two-year starter for Southeastern Oklahoma.

Coaching career
Fanning began his coaching career at the conclusion of his playing career, joining the staff of his alma mater, Southeastern Oklahoma. He would spend 5 years with the Savage Storm, helping them win the Lone Star Conference championship in 2011. In the fall of 2012, Fanning was named the volunteer assistant for the Oklahoma State Cowboys.

In July, 2014, Fanning joined the Little Rock Trojans staff, to serve as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. Just two years later, Fanning left Little Rock for the same position with Kentucky. He returned to Oklahoma State from 2020 to 2022, where he served as the Director of Baseball Operations.

In late May 2022, Fanning was named the 12th head baseball coach of the Austin Peay Governors.