Jacksonville State Baseball Announces New Coaching Staff

Jacksonville State’s baseball program wrapped up its coaching carousel on Thursday, finalizing a four‑person staff led by new head coach Travis Creel. The Gamecocks enjoyed a historic season, capturing a program‑record 48 wins and returning to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019. Creel’s hiring came on June 14 after Steve Bieser moved to Grand Canyon, and the former Southern Miss assistant brings seven years of college experience to the role.

Head Coach Travis Creel

Creel takes over as the seventh head coach in Jacksonville State’s history and his first leadership role. He spent the past seven years at Southern Miss, serving as recruiting coordinator, hitting coach and infield coach. Under his watch, the Eagles made six NCAA Tournaments and advanced to two Super Regionals.

Associate Head Coach Anthony Izzio

Izzio joins Jax State as associate head coach and recruiting coordinator after four seasons with Tulane. The Green Wave reached the American Conference title game in each of those years. His experience as a pitching coach adds depth to the new staff.

Hitting Coach Danny Lynch

Lynch comes to Jacksonville State after a stint at Abilene Christian and a head‑coaching tenure at Mississippi Delta Community College. He also served as Southern Miss’s director of hitting and infield development and graduated from the university in 2023. His expertise in offensive development will be a key part of the program.

Pitching Coach Kyle Serrano

Serrano arrives after two years as pitching coach at Johnson University in Knoxville, Tennessee. A former Tennessee player, he spent 2017‑2022 in the Houston Astros organization. His dual background as a player and coach will help shape Jax State’s pitching staff.

Catchers Coach Ethan Payne

Payne spent the last seven seasons at Tennessee, where he was camp coordinator for the past two years after graduating in 2024. He was part of the Vols’ coaching staff that captured the College World Series title in 2024. His long‑time ties to the SEC program bring new insights to Jacksonville State’s catcher development.

NCAA Tournament Run

The Gamecocks made their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2019, winning 48 games and earning a spot in the regional final at Pete Taylor Park. The team faced Little Rock in a climactic game on May 31, 2026, before a packed crowd. The images below capture the intensity of that historic run.

With the roster now set, Jacksonville State’s new coaching staff looks to build on the momentum of the 2026 season and aim for deeper NCAA Tournament runs in the years ahead. The group’s combined experience across multiple conferences and institutions positions the program for continued growth and success.