Travis Creel has been officially announced as the new head coach of Jacksonville State baseball, leaving Southern Miss after seven seasons with the Golden Eagles. Creel served as recruiting coordinator, hitting coach, and infield coach under coaches Scott Berry and Christian Ostrander.
During his time in Hattiesburg, Creel helped Southern Miss reach the NCAA Tournament six times, including two super regional appearances. The team won multiple conference championships and compiled more than 220 victories. His offensive units were consistently among the nation’s best, including a 2025 season in which the Golden Eagles set a school record with 106 home runs and finished among the top teams in batting average and hits in the Sun Belt Conference.
“I am incredibly honored and grateful for the opportunity to lead the Jax State baseball program,” Creel said. “This is a program with a proud tradition, outstanding facilities, tremendous support, and a clear commitment to winning at the highest level. My family and I are excited to become part of the Jax State community.”
Creel played at Southern Miss as an infielder and was part of the 2009 College World Series team. He spent three seasons at Louisiana Tech, where the Bulldogs won 109 games and posted their best three-year stretch in nearly four decades. He also helped lead Jones College to the 2016 NJCAA national championship as an assistant.
Since beginning his coaching career, Creel has developed 18 MLB Draft selections since 2021. He becomes the sixth head coach in Jacksonville State history, succeeding Steve Bieser, who left for Grand Canyon. Creel inherits a program that earned the 2026 Conference USA Tournament title and reached the Hattiesburg Regional this season. Southern Miss has not yet named a replacement for Creel at this time, according to sources.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
