The 2024-25 College Baseball Coaching Carousel: Who's In, Who's Out, and What It All Means
Every year, college baseball sees its fair share of coaching changes, but the 2024-25 offseason felt particularly wild. With 42 head coaching changes across Division I, it’s safe to say the coaching carousel was spinning at full speed. Some legends retired, some coaches got the boot, and others jumped ship to greener pastures. So, let’s break it all down—who moved where, which moves were the biggest, and what it means for the future of college baseball.
This one had Texas A&M fans in their feelings. After leading the Aggies to national prominence, Jim Schlossnagle pulled a fast one and took the head coaching job at their in-state rival less than 24 hours after losing the National title game to Tennessee, Texas. Imagine Nick Saban leaving Alabama to coach Auburn—that’s the level of betrayal some Aggie fans are feeling. The move came after Texas fired David Pierce, who mutually agreed to step down after a solid but unspectacular tenure. Schlossnagle brings championship aspirations to Austin, but A&M fans will be circling their matchup against Texas like it’s Judgment Day.
In what might be the most bittersweet change of the year, longtime Coastal Carolina skipper Gary Gilmore retired after a legendary run with the Chanticleers. If you don’t remember, he led Coastal to their first-ever national championship in 2016, shocking the college baseball world. He spent nearly 30 years in charge and turned a mid-major into a powerhouse. Kevin Schnall has big shoes to fill, but the program’s in good hands.
Another all-time great stepped away, as Minnesota’s John Anderson retired after over four decades at the helm. That’s right—over 40 years. Anderson took over in 1981 and somehow managed to keep Minnesota competitive despite the Midwest weather working against them. His replacement, Ty McDevitt, has a daunting task ahead, but taking over for a legend is never easy. Hats off to Anderson for an unreal run.
South Carolina fans had been growing restless with Mark Kingston, and after missing the College World Series yet again, the school decided to move on. And who do they bring in? None other than Paul Mainieri. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because Mainieri led LSU to a national championship in 2009. He’s got the resume, but at 67, can he bring South Carolina back to dominance?
The Buckeyes went big with their hire, bringing in Justin Haire from Campbell. Haire turned the Fighting Camels (yes, that’s their real mascot) into a legit force in mid-major baseball. The transition from the Big South to the Big Ten will be a challenge, but Ohio State is hoping he’s the guy to make them a contender.
The Waves let go of longtime coach Rick Hirtensteiner after struggling to stay competitive in the WCC. They’re bringing in Tyler LaTorre to turn things around, but in a conference that includes teams like Gonzaga and San Diego, it’s going to take some work.
We already talked about Gary Gilmore and John Anderson, but they weren’t the only longtime coaches who stepped away. Here are a few more:
A few other notable moves:
It was a wild cycle, and you have to wonder if some of these schools will regret making a move. Coaching changes are always a gamble.
With so many coaching changes, next season is bound to be unpredictable. Will Schlossnagle immediately turn Texas into a title contender? Can South Carolina finally get back to Omaha? And will Coastal Carolina stay strong without Gary Gilmore?
One thing is for sure—college baseball never disappoints. And if this past offseason taught us anything, it’s that no coach is ever truly safe. BUT... it truly shows how much this sport is growing as more money is being spent on top end coaching talent.
The 2024-25 College Baseball Coaching Carousel: Who's In, Who's Out, and What It All Means
Every year, college baseball sees its fair share of coaching changes, but the 2024-25 offseason felt particularly wild. With 42 head coaching changes across Division I, it’s safe to say the coaching carousel was spinning at full speed. Some legends retired, some coaches got the boot, and others jumped ship to greener pastures. So, let’s break it all down—who moved where, which moves were the biggest, and what it means for the future of college baseball.
This one had Texas A&M fans in their feelings. After leading the Aggies to national prominence, Jim Schlossnagle pulled a fast one and took the head coaching job at their in-state rival less than 24 hours after losing the National title game to Tennessee, Texas. Imagine Nick Saban leaving Alabama to coach Auburn—that’s the level of betrayal some Aggie fans are feeling. The move came after Texas fired David Pierce, who mutually agreed to step down after a solid but unspectacular tenure. Schlossnagle brings championship aspirations to Austin, but A&M fans will be circling their matchup against Texas like it’s Judgment Day.
In what might be the most bittersweet change of the year, longtime Coastal Carolina skipper Gary Gilmore retired after a legendary run with the Chanticleers. If you don’t remember, he led Coastal to their first-ever national championship in 2016, shocking the college baseball world. He spent nearly 30 years in charge and turned a mid-major into a powerhouse. Kevin Schnall has big shoes to fill, but the program’s in good hands.
Another all-time great stepped away, as Minnesota’s John Anderson retired after over four decades at the helm. That’s right—over 40 years. Anderson took over in 1981 and somehow managed to keep Minnesota competitive despite the Midwest weather working against them. His replacement, Ty McDevitt, has a daunting task ahead, but taking over for a legend is never easy. Hats off to Anderson for an unreal run.
South Carolina fans had been growing restless with Mark Kingston, and after missing the College World Series yet again, the school decided to move on. And who do they bring in? None other than Paul Mainieri. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because Mainieri led LSU to a national championship in 2009. He’s got the resume, but at 67, can he bring South Carolina back to dominance?
The Buckeyes went big with their hire, bringing in Justin Haire from Campbell. Haire turned the Fighting Camels (yes, that’s their real mascot) into a legit force in mid-major baseball. The transition from the Big South to the Big Ten will be a challenge, but Ohio State is hoping he’s the guy to make them a contender.
The Waves let go of longtime coach Rick Hirtensteiner after struggling to stay competitive in the WCC. They’re bringing in Tyler LaTorre to turn things around, but in a conference that includes teams like Gonzaga and San Diego, it’s going to take some work.
We already talked about Gary Gilmore and John Anderson, but they weren’t the only longtime coaches who stepped away. Here are a few more:
A few other notable moves:
It was a wild cycle, and you have to wonder if some of these schools will regret making a move. Coaching changes are always a gamble.
With so many coaching changes, next season is bound to be unpredictable. Will Schlossnagle immediately turn Texas into a title contender? Can South Carolina finally get back to Omaha? And will Coastal Carolina stay strong without Gary Gilmore?
One thing is for sure—college baseball never disappoints. And if this past offseason taught us anything, it’s that no coach is ever truly safe. BUT... it truly shows how much this sport is growing as more money is being spent on top end coaching talent.
