Travis Creel Takes the Helm as Jacksonville State Baseball Coach

Travis Creel, an assistant coach for Southern Miss baseball, has been appointed as the new head coach of Jacksonville State, according to an announcement from the university on June 14. Creel steps in to replace Steve Bieser, who recently accepted a coaching position at Grand Canyon University on June 2.

In his time at Southern Miss, Creel served as the hitting coach since 2020, first under Scott Berry and later under Christian Ostrander, who succeeded Berry in 2023. During his coaching tenure, the Golden Eagles’ offense thrived, contributing to seven consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances and two trips to the super regionals. Notably, Southern Miss boasted an impressive team batting average of .287, hit 86 home runs, and achieved an OPS of .854.

Creel’s coaching expertise extended beyond hitting; he also focused on defensive strategies and recruiting efforts. His leadership played a vital role in the Golden Eagles’ success, especially considering their 48-15 record in the 2026 season, which ended with a loss in the final game of the Hattiesburg Regional.

A former player for Southern Miss from 2009 to 2013, Creel was a two-time team captain and holds the program record for most hits in a single game with six. Before rejoining the Golden Eagles, he gained experience coaching at Meridian Community College, Jones County Junior College, and Louisiana Tech, where he helped lead Jones County to a national championship in 2016.

With his strong background and proven track record, Creel is well-positioned to guide the Gamecocks into a new era of baseball success.