The HBCU baseball coaching carousel has just about ground to a halt. Yet, there remains one attractive seat open on that carousel… the head coaching position at Savannah State University.
When Division I Alcon State University named Carlton Hardy its new head coach on August 8th, Savannah State initially hoped to name a replacement for its former coach by the beginning of September. That date has long past and now the target date is mid-October.
While there is no true indicator of what or who Savannah State Athletic Director Opio Mashariki is looking at, current assistant coach Bailey Ayers is presently running the fall baseball practices and scrimmages.
Ayers is familiar with the baseball program having become Savannah State Assistant Baseball Coach/Recruiting Coordinator/Hitting Coach in August 2023. He recruited many of the current players on the roster. Under Hardy, his recruiting brought in current stellar student-athletes who helped win ball games. Before joining the Tigers, Ayers was the Head Coach/Director of Baseball Operations for the Southeastern Baseball Summer League from May 2023 – July 2023, in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Before Southeastern, Ayers was on the River Community College baseball coaching staff part-time as an Assistant Baseball Coach – Recruiting Coordinator/Hitting Coach from August 2022 to July 2023.
Last year’s team finished the season with a 31-17 overall record including a 21-12 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) mark and made the NCAA Division II South Baseball Regional. The fall ball club returns with last season’s roster as they prepare for their upcoming 2025 season schedule.
Ayers was offered the opportunity to join Carlton Hardy at Alcorn State, but chose to remain at Savannah State and carve his coaching footprint.
While there is a strong possibility this will be an external hire, there is still a chance that Coach Ayers could get the promotion. He seems to have the support of those within the baseball program locker room.