Black College Nines continues its updating of the HBCU baseball coaching carousel with head, assistant coaching, and recruiting coordinator changes…
(revisions from last update indicated in red)
HBCU Large School Baseball Programs:
Delaware State University
Out – Jean-Paul Blandin – Retired
In – Pedro Swann-Head Coach*
In – Kameron Raison-Pitching Coach
In – Carlos Garcia- Infield Coach
In – CJ Loper-Volunteer Assistant
* Pedro Swann is both a former head coach at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and former Major Leaguer. He returns to his alma mater as one of its all-time career hitting leaders.
Lane College
Out – Donny Crawford – Retired
In – Jeffery De La Concha-Head Coach*
* Jeffery De La Concha replaced Donny Crawford who retired this past July. De La Concha’s prior stops include full-time assistant coach for Xavier University of Louisiana from 2020-2022, Talladega College as an assistant coach in 2010-11 and 2013-15, and a full-time pitching coach in the Major League Baseball Draft League with the Williamsport Crosscutters.
Savannah State University
Out – Carlton Hardy*
In –
* Hardy left the program for Alcorn State University making a return to Division I coaching one of the toughest jobs in the SWAC.
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
In – J.D. Mundy-Assistant Coach*
* The past two years, Mundy served as a volunteer assistant at Western Carolina University. As the infielders coach, Mundy oversaw an infield that finished top 30 in the country in turning double plays.
Alabama A&M University
In – Ty Hill-Assistant Coach*
In – Mark Hernandez-Pitching Coach/Recruiting Coordinator
* Hill played collegiate baseball at Jackson State, where he was the 2021 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Player, Hitter, and Newcomer of the Year. Black College Nines’ Elite First-Team for the 2021 season.
Bethune-Cookman University
In – Derek Cartaya-Recruiting Coordinator*
* Cartaya joined the Wildcats coaching staff in 2023 as an assistant coach has been promoted to recruiting coordinator for the baseball program.
Alcorn State University
Out – Reggie Williams
In – Carlton Hardy-Head Coach*
In – Garrett Palladino-Graduate Assistant
Retained – Kirt Cormier-Assistant Coach
* Carlton Hardy returns to coaching NCAA DI baseball. Coached Savannah State when they were a DI program in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) when the conference supported collegiate baseball.
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
Out – Carlos James*
In – Logan Stout*
In – RJ Pearson
In – Mark Moyer
* James went 212-414-2 during his 14 years and 133-165 in SWAC play.
* Logan Stout steps into a program in much need of program injection. Inherits a team that last had a winning season in 2015. Founder and CEO of the Dallas Patriots baseball program and Premier Baseball Academy in Frisco, Texas, which focuses on mentoring and leading youth. The Dallas Patriots have nearly 20 active players on MLB rosters.
HBCU Small School Baseball Programs:
Lincoln University (PA)
Out – Anthony Pla – Retired
In – Anthony Vincent Connor*
* Connor takes over as head coach having spent this past 2024 season as the interim head coach of the Lions baseball team. Former coach Anthony Pla took a scouting position with the St. Louis Cardinals last spring.
LeMoyne-Owen College
In – Brian Young*
* Brian Young returns to LeMoyne-Owen after serving as an assistant coach for two seasons (2016-2017) under former Magicians Head Coach Marcus Smith.
Dillard University
Out – Trennis Grant
In – A. Rashad “Rod” White
In – Carl Nichols Recruiting Coordinator/Hitting Coach
In – Bob Shelton Assistant Coach/Director of Baseball Operations
In – Malik Blaise 1st Base/Infield Coordinator
In – Neil Ring Assistant Coach/Catcher Director of Baseball Analytics
In – Juan Palacios Assistant Coach/Roving Infield Coordinator
* Interim tag removed July 1. A. Rashad “Rod” White is the head coach.
Florida Memorial University
Out – Florentino Burgos
In – Wil Ramos
In – Andre Payne Assistant Coach*
In – Ramon Garcia Pitching Coach*
* Both Payne and Garcia, were retained by the Lions athletic department.
Coppin State University
In – Stephen Baughan-Assistant Coach*
*Stephen Baughan moves to Coppin State from Delaware State. Formerly played at Norfolk State.
Clark Atlanta University
Out – Kentaus “K.C.” Carter
In – Trennis Grant*
In – Lorenzo Petersen Volunteer Assistant Coach
In – Patrick Wright Volunteer Assistant Coach
In – Andrew Gaskin Graduate Assistant Coach
* Trennis Grant previously was the head coach at Dillard University, but stepped down in March 2024.
Claflin University
Out – Head Coach Scott Nestor
In – Jaylan Bledsoe
Bluefield State University
Out – Drew Bailey
In – Scott Considine*
* Scott Considine spent the previous three seasons as the assistant coach on the baseball staff at Southern New Hampshire University, helping lead the team to conference and regional championships, as well as two appearances in the NCAA Division II College World Series.
Oakwood University
Out – Richard Hodnett
In – Jalil Rudolph*
In – Richard Hodnett Assistant Coach
In – Tim Dawkins Assistant Coach
In – Fermin EsQuibel Assistant Coach
* Jalil Rudolph was promoted July 1. Richard Hodnett was demoted to an assistant coach.
Xavier University of Louisiana (LA)
Out – Head Coach Adrian Holloway
In – David Yamane*
In – Darrion Smith Assistant Coach
In – Co Co Simoneaux Assistant Coach
* David Yamane has spent the last two season as the associate head coach at Los Angeles Harbor College (LAHC) in Los Angeles, California. He previously was an assistant baseball coach at NCAA Division I Siena College in Loudonville, NY.