Coaching Staff
Tanner Hess – Assistant Coach
Tanner Hess serves as an Assistant Coach for the Fort McMurray Giants, bringing a unique combination of professional playing experience and deep roots in the Giants’ organization. After a standout playing career with the Giants, Hess now helps mentor and develop players across the infield, focusing on fundamentals, situational awareness, and team culture.
Hess first made his mark in the Western Canadian Baseball League as a player for the Giants, earning a WCBL All‑Star selection in 2019 while setting the single‑season franchise record for hits (63) — a club benchmark that still stands today. That season, he showcased his versatility by playing every infield position and consistently producing at the plate, earning him strong recognition across the league.
Following his successful summers in Fort McMurray, Hess went on to play collegiately at Vancouver Island University (VIU) where he continued to develop as a high‑level position player before also competing in professional independent leagues. His playing journey gave him valuable experience that he now brings to his coaching role.
Since returning to the Giants’ coaching staff, Hess has become an integral part of the club’s leadership, helping players maximize their potential while continuing the team’s tradition of excellence in the WCBL. His history with the Giants — both as a record‑setting player and as a coach — gives him a deep understanding of the organization's culture and what it takes to compete in one of Canada’s premier summer collegiate baseball circuits.
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Dylan Cooper – Head Coach
Fort McMurray Giants head coach Dylan Cooper brings a strong background in collegiate baseball and elite summer leagues to the Giants organization. As head coach, Cooper oversees all on-field operations, including game strategy, player development, and the daily management of the club throughout the summer season.
During the collegiate season, Cooper serves as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator with the baseball program at West Virginia Wesleyan College. In that role, he works closely with the team’s catchers and infielders while also leading recruiting efforts for the program. Cooper joined the staff in 2023 after previously coaching at Richland Junior College and serving as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Arlington Baptist University from 2017–2021.
Cooper’s playing career began at Copperas Cove High School in Texas before he moved on to collegiate baseball. He played one season at Manhattan Christian College and later transferred to Arlington Baptist University, where he finished his career and earned a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies in 2017.
In addition to his college coaching experience, Cooper has also worked in elite summer baseball, including coaching in the renowned Cape Cod Baseball League as an assistant coach with the Brewster Whitecaps. The Cape Cod League is widely regarded as one of the top collegiate summer leagues in North America and features many of the best college players in the country each summer.
With experience at both the collegiate and premier summer league levels, Cooper brings a development-focused approach to the Giants. His emphasis on fundamentals, competitive preparation, and creating a strong team culture helps ensure that players not only improve on the field but also represent the Fort McMurray community with pride.
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Omar Rosado – Pitching Coach
Omar Rosado serves as the Pitching Coach for the Fort McMurray Giants, bringing a wealth of experience as both a former professional player and an accomplished coach. With a deep understanding of pitching development and the mental side of the game, Rosado plays a key role in preparing the Giants’ pitching staff to compete at a high level throughout the summer season.
Rosado’s baseball journey began in Puerto Rico, where he developed into one of the island’s top pitching prospects before signing professionally with the Pittsburgh Pirates organization. During his professional career, Rosado spent several seasons developing within the Pirates’ minor league system, gaining valuable experience competing against high-level hitters and learning from professional coaches and instructors.
Following his playing career, Rosado transitioned into coaching and player development, where he has built a strong reputation for mentoring young pitchers and helping them refine their mechanics, command, and overall approach on the mound. His coaching career has included work with collegiate and international programs, where he has helped develop pitchers preparing for professional opportunities.
Rosado has also been heavily involved in the development of baseball in Puerto Rico, working with young athletes and national-level programs to grow the game and prepare players for collegiate and professional pathways. His experience both internationally and within North American baseball gives him a unique perspective that benefits the Giants’ pitching staff.
As the Giants’ pitching coach, Rosado works closely with pitchers on mechanics, pitch design, game planning, and the mental preparation required to succeed at the collegiate summer league level. His professional background and passion for teaching the game make him an invaluable part of the Giants’ coaching staff as the club continues to develop high-level talent each summer.