Senior Coaching Profiles
Coach Profile – JJ Rutherford (18U Head Coach)
A California native, Coach JJ Rutherford brings a rare combination of professional baseball experience and cutting-edge player development to the Ontario Kobras coaching staff. Having worked with Major League Baseball organizations including the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, and Toronto Blue Jays, JJ has spent his career helping athletes reach the highest levels of the game. His coaching journey has also taken him overseas, contributing to baseball development in Japan, Canada, and El Salvador.
As a coach, JJ’s track record speaks volumes: over 50 players under his guidance have signed professional contracts. He is known for his ability to break down complex skills into clear, actionable steps, blending traditional player development with modern analytics. His certifications and academic training in areas like Baseball Data Analytics (SABR), MIT Data Analytics for Baseball, and Harvard Sports Contract Law give him an edge in scouting, evaluation, and individualized player growth.
JJ’s approach ensures that Kobras athletes not only sharpen their skills on the field but also gain the knowledge, discipline, and preparation needed to excel at the collegiate and professional levels.
Coach Profile – Brad Barlow (17U Head Coach)
With more than 20 years of coaching experience across Ontario, Coach Brad Barlow brings a wealth of knowledge, leadership, and success to the Ontario Kobras program. Brad has coached at every level of the game—from Little League and OBA baseball in Burlington and Barrie, to the elite CPBL with the Ontario Blue Jays, and most recently, leading the Barrie Baycats 17U team to an 18U OBA Championship.
Brad’s coaching career is highlighted by multiple championships at the local, provincial, and international levels, including tournament wins in the U.S., COBA and YSBA titles, and an Ontario provincial title as a COBA All-Star coach. Alongside team success, he has helped dozens of players advance to NCAA programs, junior colleges, and even the MLB Draft.
A strong believer in modern training methods, Brad is NCCP, Driveline, and Rapsodo certified, combining proven player development systems with advanced technology and analytics. He is also the founder of Canadian Baseball Rankings (CBR), a nationally recognized platform that helps identify and showcase elite Canadian talent.
As both a former high-level player—representing Ontario at Nationals, competing in junior baseball, and appearing in the IBL—and an accomplished coach, Brad understands every step of the player journey. His passion is helping athletes achieve their goals and guiding them toward the next level of competition.
Coach Profile – Zach Biery (16U Head Coach)
Coach Zach Biery brings a strong background in collegiate coaching and player development to the Ontario Kobras. For the past seven years, Zach served as an Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at Friends University in Wichita, Kansas, where he was instrumental in building competitive rosters and guiding athletes to success on and off the field.
During his time at the collegiate level, Zach recruited and developed multiple award-winning players, including Gold Glove recipients, a Pitcher of the Year, two Freshman Pitchers of the Year, and numerous All-Conference athletes. His ability to identify and elevate talent has been a hallmark of his coaching career.
Beyond the college game, Zach has also coached in the Kansas Collegiate Baseball League and the Jayhawk Summer Baseball League, serving as both an Assistant Coach and Head Coach. These roles allowed him to work closely with some of the top emerging players in the Midwest, further sharpening his skills in player evaluation and development.
As the 16U Head Coach for the Ontario Kobras, Zach brings his recruiting expertise, technical knowledge, and player-first approach to help athletes reach their full potential and prepare for the next level of competition.
Coach Profile – Murray Roach
Born and raised in Saskatchewan, Coach Murray has spent a lifetime in baseball as both a player and coach, earning recognition for his impact on the game at every level. After accepting a full-ride scholarship to pitch at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College, Murray returned home following injury to continue his playing career as a versatile player-manager, competing in one of Saskatchewan’s top Senior A circuits and playing every position except pitcher and catcher.
Murray’s resume speaks for itself:
- Competed in 19 Saskatchewan Provincial Championships as a player and coach, winning several.
- Represented Saskatchewan eight times at inter-provincial and national tournaments, medalling all but once.
- Inducted into the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame.
- Served eight years as a recommending scout for the MLB Cincinnati Reds.
- Coached two consecutive Ontario Provincial Champion teams in Girls U10 fastball.
- Dedicated 16 years to Special Olympics Barrie, helping train multiple provincial, national, and world champions.
With decades of experience across pitching, defense, and player development, Murray brings a deep understanding of the game and a passion for teaching. His coaching philosophy is simple yet powerful: if athletes are having fun and improving each year, their love of the sport will grow—allowing them to reach their full potential.