The Rise of USF Baseball: Mitch Hannahs’ New Culture

TAMPA — For Mitch Hannahs, the sounds of Cincinnati Reds games in the 1970s were more than just entertainment; they were the backdrop of his childhood. Growing up in a coal-mining area of southeast Ohio, he often fell asleep to the legendary Big Red Machine’s victories, narrated by Marty Brennaman. This team, with stars like Pete Rose, Johnny Bench, and Joe Morgan, represented the ultimate in talent and determination for a young athlete.

Now, those same qualities are what he aims to bring to the USF baseball program he took over 11 months ago.

“When your team culture is strong and you have exceptional players, you don’t need constant reminders about your objectives,” Hannahs stated from the dugout at USF Baseball Stadium on a pleasant May afternoon. “It becomes about self-motivation and maximizing potential to benefit the team.”

Building a New Identity

Hannahs is crafting a compelling culture — a mix of green and gold with a blue-collar work ethic –— for a USF program that faced challenges before his arrival. Despite being in a prime recruiting area, the Bulls had suffered through three seasons of losses and four out of five prior to his joining the team.

Though the journey was rocky, players began to respond positively to the 57-year-old coach, who has achieved five NCAA tournament appearances and two conference titles during his 11 years at Indiana State.

“It’s definitely a blue-collar culture,” said Sebastian Greico, the Bulls’ first baseman and Gaither High alum. “We practice hard every single day. No other school has pushed me like this.”

Proving Their Worth

Even after a tough series against UTSA, who lead the AAC, USF (12-9, 24-21) is sitting in a three-way tie for second place. Their effort showed, despite the losses — two of which were by only three runs, and they even held UTSA scoreless for ten innings over the weekend.

While the Bulls may not dominate any single standout category, they also don’t sit at the bottom of the rankings. Currently, they stand fifth in team batting average (.273), second in stolen bases (66), and tied for sixth in team ERA (5.65).

In his first 45 games, Hannahs is beginning to see glimpses of the culture he envisions.

“I’m seeing players fighting harder during games,” Hannahs shared, as his team was prepping to take on Florida. “There are still struggles, as is common in every program, particularly in this era of transfer portals.”

Mental Shift and Roster Overhaul

Hannahs faced a mental challenge upon his arrival, knowing the team’s mindset needed a makeover. He opted for fast-paced drills that focused on endurance rather than fine details like base running or bunting early on.

“There are great programs across the nation,” Hannahs noted. “And once the season wraps up, maturity and mentality will be glaringly obvious on film. Each team needs to cultivate a winning ethos, and breaking out of a losing mindset takes time.”

While working to change the team’s mentality, he also had to revamp the roster. Thankfully, his initial transfer picks have made significant impacts.

Star pitcher Corey Braun, who joined from Ole Miss, has been a solid Friday starter with a 6-2 record and a 3.15 ERA. FSU transfer Lance Trippel is proving to be a key player behind the plate, while Tennessee transfer Bradke Lohry has excelled at shortstop.

Additionally, carryovers like Marcus Brodil (the team’s leader with a .335 batting average), Jackson Mayo, and Jack Nedrow are also making their mark, while quarterback Bryce Archie has shown some real potential on the mound.

“I never thought he could do it,” Hannahs remarked. “He’s amazing. With warmer weather, we need to keep tabs on him, but it’s impressive to see a player balancing football and baseball.”

Conclusion

A tough grinder, clearly aligning with the evolving culture of Bulls baseball.

“Our focus remains on hard work; that’s what binds a team together,” Greico said. “As the season progresses, we’ve figured out who works well together on the field. We’ll keep adjusting the lineup, but we have a solid core now that’s really jelled, and it shows in our conference performance.”

FAQs

Who is Mitch Hannahs?

Mitch Hannahs is the head coach of the USF baseball team, bringing extensive experience and a passion for building a winning culture.

What challenges did USF baseball face before Hannahs took over?

Before Hannahs’ arrival, the Bulls struggled with three consecutive losing seasons and inconsistent performance.

How is USF baseball performing this season?

Currently, the Bulls are in a competitive spot in the conference, showing improvement and tenacity despite recent challenges.

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