> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.bayareaexaminer.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # OPINION: USF's Season Might Be Over, But Mitch Hannahs Is Just Getting Started - URL: https://www.bayareaexaminer.com/opinion-usfs-season-might-be-over/ - Published: 2025-05-28T17:48:33.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-21T15:47:14.000Z - Description: USF Baseball Falls to ECU, Ends Season With 31 Wins and Renewed Foundation Under Hannahs - Author: Collin Sherwin - Tags: #Migrated-1792597384348, #Import 2026-10-21 15:44 TAMPA, Fla. — Mitch Hannahs’ first season as the University of South Florida’s Head Baseball Coach came to an end Saturday evening following a 9-7 loss to East Carolina in the American Athletic Conference Tournament. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/77/a9/77a9bb8f-d0f1-45b5-8fed-5feacd465ef5/content/images/2026/10/a916617c-74bf-4ac2-9413-d1f7ec3228b6_6000x4000-jpeg.jpg) [Subscribe](#/portal/signup) The loss eliminated the Bulls from the tournament and concluded their 2025 campaign with a 31-25 record, including an 18-13 mark against conference opponents. This was the first season at the helm for head coach Mitch Hannahs, who arrived at USF after 11 years as head coach at Indiana State, where he led the Sycamores to five NCAA Tournament appearances. Hannahs signed a five-year deal last year, becoming the highest-paid baseball coach in program history. **Was Year One a Success?** By most metrics, Hannahs’ debut season can be viewed as a success. Under former head coach Billy Mohl, the Bulls hovered around the middle of the pack in the AAC, finishing above .500 in conference play just once during his tenure. Even in Mohl’s most successful season in 2021 — which included an AAC Tournament title and a trip to the NCAA Super Regionals — the Bulls ended with a 31-30 overall record. This season, USF posted a 16-11 conference record during the regular season, winning seven of its nine AAC series. In 11 years as members of the AAC, this is only the fourth time USF has finished with a conference record above .500. Hannahs also capitalized on the new era of college athletics by bringing in high-impact transfers. Junior pitcher Corey Braun, who led USF in every major pitching category during the regular season, transferred from Ole Miss. Senior first baseman Sebastian Greico, who led the team in home runs and RBIs, transferred from Florida A&M. The Bulls will lose 9 seniors, including key players like starting pitcher Jack Nedrow, outfielders Marcus Brodil and Jackson Mayo, shortstop Bradke Lohry, and Greico. But the future looks promising. USF’s 2025 high school recruiting class is currently ranked No. 21 in the country — the highest in the AAC. The next closest is East Carolina at No. 59\. Eight of USF’s 16 commits hail from Florida, including four from the Tampa Bay area. Florida is widely regarded as one of the nation’s premier baseball states, and the Tampa Bay region continues to produce top-tier talent. It’s a goldmine of talent, and if Hannahs can keep that talent home, the Bulls could soon strike gold. **A Culture Shift** While the Bulls’ team statistics may not jump off the page — they finished seventh in the conference in home runs, sixth in slugging percentage, and sixth in walks — their culture and identity took shape in Hannahs' first year. USF led the AAC in walks and stolen bases (36), showing a scrappy offensive approach. The Bulls ranked third in team ERA, though they were last in strikeouts and sixth in home runs allowed. Despite that, USF was one of the top three teams in the conference standings and posted a 10-3 record in one-run games. Their resilience showed in Clearwater. After a lackluster performance in their tournament opener, the Bulls rallied to make it to the semifinals. Even in Saturday’s season-ending loss to ECU, they fought to the final pitch. **Building Toward the Future** So, was Year One under Mitch Hannahs a success? He led the Bulls to a winning conference record. He proved capable of finding impact players in the transfer portal. He established a foundation for high school recruiting — particularly in a fertile Florida pipeline. Most importantly, he instilled a culture of belief, effort, and fight. The answer seems clear. Yes, Mitch Hannahs' first season at USF was a success. [Subscribe](#/portal/signup)