Jeff Baker is heading into year two as the Assistant AD for Sports Medicine & Performance. Baker was named Head Athletic Trainer at Columbus State University in August 2025.
Baker oversees the day-to-day operations of the sports medicine department and leads the health, safety, and performance initiatives for Cougar student-athletes.
Prior to arriving at Columbus State, Baker served as Senior Athletic Trainer at Limestone University, where he worked with the wrestling and softball programs while overseeing the daily operations of the athletic training room and assisting in the development of departmental policies and procedures.
Before his time at Limestone, Baker spent three seasons as Assistant Director of Sports Medicine at the University of Missouri, working with the track & field and cross country programs, men's golf, and serving as the interim athletic trainer for baseball during the fall of 2023.
Baker's previous stops include Lenoir-Rhyne University, Gardner-Webb University, and Palm Beach Atlantic University, where he gained experience working with a variety of NCAA Division I and II programs.
A highly credentialed athletic trainer, Baker is certified in dry needling, blood flow restriction therapy, corrective exercise, and performance enhancement. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from Alma College and a Master of Arts in Sport Education from Gardner-Webb University.
