Pitt has hired former Florida State assistant Mike Bell as its next head baseball coach.
Bell spent the last seven years as associate head coach and pitching coach at Florida State. He will replace Joe Jordano, who resigned last month after 21 seasons.
“I am humbled to be the head coach at Pitt and I look forward to leading this great program and our exemplary student-athletes as we develop our program and compete for championships,” Bell said in a press release. “My wife, Alicia, my kids and I are thrilled to become a part of the Pittsburgh community and we can’t wait to meet all of our great fans as we begin this incredible journey.”
Before Florida State, Bell coached at Oklahoma and Tennessee and has made three College World Series Appearances as a coach.
Bell is a Florida State alum and pitched for the Seminoles in the College World Series in 1994 and 1995. He was drafted by the Montreal Expos and had a five-year professional career.
“Coach Bell brings an outstanding pedigree as a player and coach and we were impressed with his strong desire to lead our baseball program at Pitt and get connected in the City of Pittsburgh,” athletic director Heather Lyke said in a press release.
“Coach Bell is a thoughtful leader whose professional experience, knowledge of the game and proven track record of success will enable him to lead our baseball program into sustained success in the ACC and nationally. He has recruited and won at the highest levels and I am confident he will do the same here at Pitt. I look forward to our student-athletes, donors and fans getting to know Coach Bell and his family.”
Jerry Oakes, who had been Pitt’s pitching coach, was among those that had interviewed for the position. His future fate is unknown.
Bell is the fourth former Florida State assistant Pitt has hired this summer, joining women’s basketball head coach Lance White and assistant coaches Danielle Atkinson and Josh Petersen.
