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USF brings on Indiana State’s Mitch Hannahs as head baseball coach

Mitch Hannahs (pictured middle) led Indiana State to five NCAA Tournament appearances in 11 seasons. SPECIAL TO THE ORACLE / ISU ATHLETICS / SETH MONTGOMERY

After the dismissal of Billy Mohl last month, USF has hired Mitch Hannahs as head baseball coach, the university announced Saturday. 

Hannahs, 56, compiled a record of 355-214-1 in 11 seasons as the head coach at Indiana State. He was named as the Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year in 2023 and 2024.  

He resigned from his position at Indiana State on Saturday, shortly before being hired at USF. 

Hannahs led the Sycamores to five NCAA Tournament appearances, including their first Super Regional appearance in 2023. Indiana State finished with a winning record in all 11 seasons under Hannahs. 

“USF is an amazing institution with a thriving athletic department that is on an incredible trajectory,” Hannahs said in a press release. “I am eager to get on campus to meet with our players and begin building a championship program.”

Related: Report card: USF baseball’s underwhelming season ends with firing of head coach 

Hannahs will take over a USF program that has failed to make the NCAA Tournament since its first Super Regional appearance in 2021. 

The Bulls finished 26-29 in 2024, their third-consecutive losing season. USF failed to qualify for the American Conference tournament for the second time since 2019. 

Related: USF dismisses head baseball coach after seven years

“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Mitch Hannahs and his family to Bulls Nation as the new leader of USF Baseball!” Athletics Director Michael Kelly said in a press release. “I am excited by his vision and strategic plan to utilize USF’s facilities and resources to build a championship program in the baseball hotbed of Tampa Bay.”

Indiana State finished the 2024 season with a 44-15 record, including a 5-0 win over USF on Feb. 19. The Sycamores lost in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament with a 5-0 loss against Kentucky.

The Sycamores gained national recognition last season, being ranked as high as No. 14 in the Perfect Game poll for four consecutive weeks. 

An Indiana State alumnus, Hannahs played baseball for the Sycamores from 1986-1989. He was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in 1989, playing three seasons for the minor league El Paso Diablos. 

Hannahs began his coaching career with Indiana State, serving as an assistant from 1995-1999 and 2001. 

He then served in various positions at Lincoln Trail College, including head baseball coach, athletics director and president, before rejoining the Sycamores in 2013. 

Hannahs’ introductory press conference will be announced at a later time.

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Noah Vinsky, Sports Editor

Noah Vinsky is the sports editor for The Oracle. He’s a mass communications and psychology dual-major and started writing for The Oracle in the fall of 2022. His focus is on football, men’s basketball and the on-campus stadium development. Reach him at noahjosephvinsky@usf.edu

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