COACH MATT ITTNER
Head Varsity Coach
Coach Ittner begins his eighth year at the helm of the Cox baseball program.
He is a 2008 graduate of Cox High School, where he was a 3-year varsity letterman for the baseball team. Coach Ittner went on the play for two years at College of the Albemarle from 2010-2011 and then at Virginia Wesleyan College for his remaining two years 2011-2013.
In the fall of 2014, Coach Ittner was hired as the junior varsity head baseball coach at Cox High School. After a 9-1 campaign with the Cox JV baseball team in the spring of 2014, he was hired by Salem High School in Virginia Beach to be their varsity head baseball coach and spent the three seasons there from 2015-2017. Coach Ittner is currently a special education teacher with Virginia Beach City Public Schools. Coach Ittner may be reached at [email protected]
Head Varsity Coach
Coach Ittner begins his eighth year at the helm of the Cox baseball program.
He is a 2008 graduate of Cox High School, where he was a 3-year varsity letterman for the baseball team. Coach Ittner went on the play for two years at College of the Albemarle from 2010-2011 and then at Virginia Wesleyan College for his remaining two years 2011-2013.
In the fall of 2014, Coach Ittner was hired as the junior varsity head baseball coach at Cox High School. After a 9-1 campaign with the Cox JV baseball team in the spring of 2014, he was hired by Salem High School in Virginia Beach to be their varsity head baseball coach and spent the three seasons there from 2015-2017. Coach Ittner is currently a special education teacher with Virginia Beach City Public Schools. Coach Ittner may be reached at [email protected]
COACH KEVIN LONG
Head Junior Varsity Coach
Coach Long is in his first season as the Head Junior Varsity Baseball Coach for the Falcons and joins the coaching staff with a familiarity of the program having served on the Board of the Falcon Dugout Club since its inception (in 2017) and as President from 2019 until 2024. He continues his involvement in Cox High School baseball by bringing his extensive coaching experience to the program having coached baseball, football (tackle and flag), and basketball at various levels over the past 18 years.
Coach Long’s experience includes coaching the 2021 Tidewater Drillers White Team (collegiate level) in the Tidewater Summer League (TSL), finishing Runner-Up in the championship that year. In the 2020 TSL, he served as an Assistant Coach to Gary Wright for the Drillers, who also finished as Runner-Up, Summer 2020. As well as many travel and recreational teams.
An alumnus and three sport letterman (baseball, football, & swimming) of Booker T. Washington, Coach Long recently retired after 36 years in the heavy, industrial, marine, and commercial construction industries. He is a Civil Engineering graduate of Virginia Tech (1986) and a proud Hokie!
Coach Long has a deep passion for sports and coaching and is excited and honored to be part of the coaching staff of the Frank W. Cox High School Baseball Team.
Head Junior Varsity Coach
Coach Long is in his first season as the Head Junior Varsity Baseball Coach for the Falcons and joins the coaching staff with a familiarity of the program having served on the Board of the Falcon Dugout Club since its inception (in 2017) and as President from 2019 until 2024. He continues his involvement in Cox High School baseball by bringing his extensive coaching experience to the program having coached baseball, football (tackle and flag), and basketball at various levels over the past 18 years.
Coach Long’s experience includes coaching the 2021 Tidewater Drillers White Team (collegiate level) in the Tidewater Summer League (TSL), finishing Runner-Up in the championship that year. In the 2020 TSL, he served as an Assistant Coach to Gary Wright for the Drillers, who also finished as Runner-Up, Summer 2020. As well as many travel and recreational teams.
An alumnus and three sport letterman (baseball, football, & swimming) of Booker T. Washington, Coach Long recently retired after 36 years in the heavy, industrial, marine, and commercial construction industries. He is a Civil Engineering graduate of Virginia Tech (1986) and a proud Hokie!
Coach Long has a deep passion for sports and coaching and is excited and honored to be part of the coaching staff of the Frank W. Cox High School Baseball Team.
COACH GRAYSON BAILEY - Assistant Coach
Coach Grayson Bailey enters his 9th season on the coaching staff at Cox High School. In 2024 he moved to the Varsity level as the Varsity Pitching Coach.
He played at Cox High School his senior year in 2010 where he was 1st team Beach District, Eastern Region, Tidewater, and AAA honorable mention all-state. He was one of the team captains and finished with .538 batting average and 8-2 record on the mound with a 1.45 ERA.
He played as a two-way player at Louisburg Junior College and then moved on to pitch for East Carolina, Lee University, and Old Dominion University. At Lee, he was an Academic All-American and led the team in era and strikeouts out of the bullpen where they were runners up in NCCAA World Series two years in a row. At Old Dominion he led the team in ERA and received a win against the defending national champions, University of Virginia. He also won two Coastal Plain League Championships with the Peninsula Pilots and is top five in Strikeouts in Pilot history. Throughout his college career he has been invited to pro tryouts and was offered a contract to play in Europe. He also is the assistant/pitching coach for the Old Dominion Hitters 2019 team where they were ranked top 70 in the country by Perfect Game.
Over the years, he has been the assistant/pitching coach for both varsity and JV. He helped coached JV to a 9-1 record and team ERA of 2.08. He helped varsity compile a 22-5 record (ERA 2.51) as they were Coastal Conference and Tournament Champions, Region 6A South Champions, and 6A State Finalists.
COACH TJ BARTAKKE
Assistant Coach
TJ Bartakke, returns for his 11th season with the Falcons. He is a native of Northern VA, where he graduated from Oakton HS in 2009. He was a catcher/middle infielder and lettered three years at Oakton under coaches Scott Rowland and Justin Janis. TJ was part of a team that made the State Final in 2006 and won the Region Championship in 2007. He went on to a brief stint at Christopher Newport University, graduating from CNU in 2014.
TJ began coaching at Cox in 2014 and has coached at the high school level during his whole adult life. In addition to his time at Cox where he helped guide the Falcons to the 2017 Regional Championship and state title game, he spent 2 years on the Woodside High School coaching staff and 2 years as the Denbigh High School head JV coach.
TJ works as a Private Wealth Advisor for Integrated Financial Partners, where he and his team help simplify the lives of busy people, by giving them financial peace of mind. TJs favorite part of the Cox Baseball program is the brotherhood created among the players, coaching staff, alumni and the community. TJ maintains his enthusiasm to be part of the Cox Baseball staff and expects the program to continue to build upon their successes.
Assistant Coach
TJ Bartakke, returns for his 11th season with the Falcons. He is a native of Northern VA, where he graduated from Oakton HS in 2009. He was a catcher/middle infielder and lettered three years at Oakton under coaches Scott Rowland and Justin Janis. TJ was part of a team that made the State Final in 2006 and won the Region Championship in 2007. He went on to a brief stint at Christopher Newport University, graduating from CNU in 2014.
TJ began coaching at Cox in 2014 and has coached at the high school level during his whole adult life. In addition to his time at Cox where he helped guide the Falcons to the 2017 Regional Championship and state title game, he spent 2 years on the Woodside High School coaching staff and 2 years as the Denbigh High School head JV coach.
TJ works as a Private Wealth Advisor for Integrated Financial Partners, where he and his team help simplify the lives of busy people, by giving them financial peace of mind. TJs favorite part of the Cox Baseball program is the brotherhood created among the players, coaching staff, alumni and the community. TJ maintains his enthusiasm to be part of the Cox Baseball staff and expects the program to continue to build upon their successes.
COACH RYAN PISTON
Assistant Coach
Coach Ryan Piston enters his eighth season as a coach at Cox High School. He is a 2017 Cox graduate. Before beginning his career as a coach, Ryan lettered two years as a pitcher under former Cox head coach Bill Conroy. During his senior season, Ryan helped clinch the regular season championship to get the number one seed in regionals after closing an 8-6 ballgame against the Kellam Knights. His team went on to win the 6A South Region and play in the 6A State Final for the first time since 1996.
Outside of coaching, Ryan is currently attending ODU to complete his degree in Mechanical Engineering. He hopes to continue his growth in coaching further into his adult life. Ryan is also an Eagle Scout from BSA Troop 375, which helps him excel in leadership while teaching young players to build character.
Assistant Coach
Coach Ryan Piston enters his eighth season as a coach at Cox High School. He is a 2017 Cox graduate. Before beginning his career as a coach, Ryan lettered two years as a pitcher under former Cox head coach Bill Conroy. During his senior season, Ryan helped clinch the regular season championship to get the number one seed in regionals after closing an 8-6 ballgame against the Kellam Knights. His team went on to win the 6A South Region and play in the 6A State Final for the first time since 1996.
Outside of coaching, Ryan is currently attending ODU to complete his degree in Mechanical Engineering. He hopes to continue his growth in coaching further into his adult life. Ryan is also an Eagle Scout from BSA Troop 375, which helps him excel in leadership while teaching young players to build character.
COACH TYLER RASSMUSEN
Assistant Coach
Coach Tyler Rassmusen enters his seventh season on the Cox Falcon Baseball coaching staff. Tyler played at Gar-Field High School in Woodbridge, Virginia, from 2009-2012, for Coach Steve Denard and Coach Mike Meadows . He earned a varsity letter for each of the four years he was at Gar-Field, being a team captain his junior and senior seasons. During his four years at Gar-Field he was primarily a catcher while also playing outfield and pitching. He earned All-Cardinal District team honors in 2012 as a Catcher.
After Graduation, he assisted as a JV Coach at Gar-Field. During the Summer of 2018, he assisted Mike Matta with the 2019 Stars Showcase team. Tyler states "I am excited and thankful to continue to be a part of the staff and for what the future of Cox Baseball holds."
Assistant Coach
Coach Tyler Rassmusen enters his seventh season on the Cox Falcon Baseball coaching staff. Tyler played at Gar-Field High School in Woodbridge, Virginia, from 2009-2012, for Coach Steve Denard and Coach Mike Meadows . He earned a varsity letter for each of the four years he was at Gar-Field, being a team captain his junior and senior seasons. During his four years at Gar-Field he was primarily a catcher while also playing outfield and pitching. He earned All-Cardinal District team honors in 2012 as a Catcher.
After Graduation, he assisted as a JV Coach at Gar-Field. During the Summer of 2018, he assisted Mike Matta with the 2019 Stars Showcase team. Tyler states "I am excited and thankful to continue to be a part of the staff and for what the future of Cox Baseball holds."
COACH GARRETT LYONS
Assistant Coach
Coach Garrett Lyons enters his second season with the Cox Falcon Baseball staff. Garret is a 2016 Cox High School Alum and played for former coach, Bill Conroy, as a 4-year member of the Cox Varsity squad (2012-2016). Started at 3rd base as a Sophomore and 2nd base as a Junior/Senior. All conference 2nd baseman and team captain for the Falcons.
He went on to play 6 years of Division III baseball at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, VA and Virginia Wesleyan University in Virginia Beach, VA. He was a 5-year starter for the Eagles from 2016-2021 playing up the middle, SS/2B/CF. Played under Coach Wayne Riser from 2016-2019 and Coach Kelly Swiney in 2020-2021. All conference Shortstop and team captain in 2021 in which he led the conference in stolen bases, OBP, and 3rd in BA (.362) holding down the 3-hole in the lineup for the Eagles. He then transferred back to his hometown of Virginia Beach to pursue his MBA and play out his last year for the Marlins under Coach Chris Francis. He held down the left side of the infield (SS/3B) for the Marlins and provided a veteran presence in the lineup. Coach Lyons racked up 167 collegiate hits (38 doubles/9 triples/8 home runs), 81 RBIs, 124 runs scored, and 60 stolen bases throughout his entire career at both universities.
He currently works at ADS as the Regional Account Manager for the US Army Southeast in which he gets to support all Army active duty, Army national guard, and Army reserve units in SC/GA/AL/FL.
Assistant Coach
Coach Garrett Lyons enters his second season with the Cox Falcon Baseball staff. Garret is a 2016 Cox High School Alum and played for former coach, Bill Conroy, as a 4-year member of the Cox Varsity squad (2012-2016). Started at 3rd base as a Sophomore and 2nd base as a Junior/Senior. All conference 2nd baseman and team captain for the Falcons.
He went on to play 6 years of Division III baseball at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, VA and Virginia Wesleyan University in Virginia Beach, VA. He was a 5-year starter for the Eagles from 2016-2021 playing up the middle, SS/2B/CF. Played under Coach Wayne Riser from 2016-2019 and Coach Kelly Swiney in 2020-2021. All conference Shortstop and team captain in 2021 in which he led the conference in stolen bases, OBP, and 3rd in BA (.362) holding down the 3-hole in the lineup for the Eagles. He then transferred back to his hometown of Virginia Beach to pursue his MBA and play out his last year for the Marlins under Coach Chris Francis. He held down the left side of the infield (SS/3B) for the Marlins and provided a veteran presence in the lineup. Coach Lyons racked up 167 collegiate hits (38 doubles/9 triples/8 home runs), 81 RBIs, 124 runs scored, and 60 stolen bases throughout his entire career at both universities.
He currently works at ADS as the Regional Account Manager for the US Army Southeast in which he gets to support all Army active duty, Army national guard, and Army reserve units in SC/GA/AL/FL.
COACH BILL ROLLER
Assistant Coach
Assistant Coach
Coach Bill Roller begins his second full season with the Cox baseball program after joining the JV team mid-way through the 2023 schedule. He re-located to Virginia Beach from New Jersey where he was a volunteer coach at Ridge High School in Basking Ridge, New Jersey for 24 years.
Coaching is Bill’s advocation going back to the days his son played T-ball. He has always loved the sport and it was the reason that provided the impetus to coaching. His time in the high school ranks led to participating in two New Jersey state Group Championships and three County Titles. Coach Roller and his wife of 54 years, Jill, have one son, Ryan. He and his wife Sarah Hostetter Roller recently welcomed their first grandchild Evelyn (Evie) to the world on January 14, 2025.
Coach Roller graduated from Seton Hall University with a B.A degree in Communications. That led to a nearly three-decade career in Sports Broadcasting. He served as a News Director and Anchor for USA Network. He also did Sports News on NBC-TV and WPIX-TV in New York City and radio with the New Jersey Nets basketball team providing fill-in play-by play and hosting the pre and post game shows for five seasons before the team moved the franchise to Brooklyn. Bill is also a life-long Yankee fan.
Coach Roller had previously been a Surveyor with a steel company working on bridges, highways and high-rise buildings in the greater New Jersey-New York area. He gained knowledge of the trade after being drafted in the United States Army where he served state-side at Fort Dix, New Jersey, Fort Belvoir, Virginia and with a Combat Engineer Battalion in Vietnam. He finished his tour as an
Sp. 4/E4 and was awarded two uniform combat bars and various citations that included two Bronze devices for participation in eleven combat operations. He will admit to enjoying baseball much more than anything else (other than family).
Coaching is Bill’s advocation going back to the days his son played T-ball. He has always loved the sport and it was the reason that provided the impetus to coaching. His time in the high school ranks led to participating in two New Jersey state Group Championships and three County Titles. Coach Roller and his wife of 54 years, Jill, have one son, Ryan. He and his wife Sarah Hostetter Roller recently welcomed their first grandchild Evelyn (Evie) to the world on January 14, 2025.
Coach Roller graduated from Seton Hall University with a B.A degree in Communications. That led to a nearly three-decade career in Sports Broadcasting. He served as a News Director and Anchor for USA Network. He also did Sports News on NBC-TV and WPIX-TV in New York City and radio with the New Jersey Nets basketball team providing fill-in play-by play and hosting the pre and post game shows for five seasons before the team moved the franchise to Brooklyn. Bill is also a life-long Yankee fan.
Coach Roller had previously been a Surveyor with a steel company working on bridges, highways and high-rise buildings in the greater New Jersey-New York area. He gained knowledge of the trade after being drafted in the United States Army where he served state-side at Fort Dix, New Jersey, Fort Belvoir, Virginia and with a Combat Engineer Battalion in Vietnam. He finished his tour as an
Sp. 4/E4 and was awarded two uniform combat bars and various citations that included two Bronze devices for participation in eleven combat operations. He will admit to enjoying baseball much more than anything else (other than family).
COACH SOUTH TRIMBLE
Assistant Coach
Assistant Coach