The Gamecocks hired Creel on June 14 after Steve Bieser took the Grand Canyon job following a run to the NCAA Regional in Hattiesburg. Creel came to Jax State from Southern Miss.
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The Gamecocks had a record season, winning a program-best 48 games and making its first NCAA Tournament since 2019.
Meet the new staff for Jax State:
Jacksonville State baseball takes on Little Rock in a NCAA Tournament Regional Final at Pete Taylor Park in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on Sunday, May 31, 2026. (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times) (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times)Jacksonville State baseball takes on Little Rock in a NCAA Tournament Regional Final at Pete Taylor Park in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on Sunday, May 31, 2026. (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times) (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times)Jacksonville State baseball takes on Little Rock in a NCAA Tournament Regional Final at Pete Taylor Park in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on Sunday, May 31, 2026. (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times) (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times)Jacksonville State baseball takes on Little Rock in a NCAA Tournament Regional Final at Pete Taylor Park in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on Sunday, May 31, 2026. (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times) (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times)Jacksonville State baseball takes on Little Rock in a NCAA Tournament Regional Final at Pete Taylor Park in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on Sunday, May 31, 2026. (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times) (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times)Jacksonville State baseball takes on Little Rock in a NCAA Tournament Regional Final at Pete Taylor Park in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on Sunday, May 31, 2026. (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times) (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times)Jacksonville State baseball takes on Little Rock in a NCAA Tournament Regional Final at Pete Taylor Park in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on Sunday, May 31, 2026. (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times) (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times)Jacksonville State baseball takes on Little Rock in a NCAA Tournament Regional Final at Pete Taylor Park in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on Sunday, May 31, 2026. (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times) (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times)Jacksonville State baseball takes on Little Rock in a NCAA Tournament Regional Final at Pete Taylor Park in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on Sunday, May 31, 2026. (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times) (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times)Jacksonville State baseball takes on Little Rock in a NCAA Tournament Regional Final at Pete Taylor Park in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on Sunday, May 31, 2026. (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times) (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times)Jacksonville State baseball takes on Little Rock in a NCAA Tournament Regional Final at Pete Taylor Park in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on Sunday, May 31, 2026. (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times) (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times)Jacksonville State baseball takes on Little Rock in a NCAA Tournament Regional Final at Pete Taylor Park in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on Sunday, May 31, 2026. (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times) (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times)Jacksonville State baseball takes on Little Rock in a NCAA Tournament Regional Final at Pete Taylor Park in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on Sunday, May 31, 2026. (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times) (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times)Jacksonville State baseball takes on Little Rock in a NCAA Tournament Regional Final at Pete Taylor Park in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on Sunday, May 31, 2026. (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times) (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times)Jacksonville State baseball takes on Little Rock in a NCAA Tournament Regional Final at Pete Taylor Park in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on Sunday, May 31, 2026. (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times) (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times)Jacksonville State baseball takes on Little Rock in a NCAA Tournament Regional Final at Pete Taylor Park in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on Sunday, May 31, 2026. (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times) (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times)Jacksonville State baseball takes on Little Rock in a NCAA Tournament Regional Final at Pete Taylor Park in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on Sunday, May 31, 2026. (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times) (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times)Jacksonville State baseball takes on Little Rock in a NCAA Tournament Regional Final at Pete Taylor Park in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on Sunday, May 31, 2026. (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times) (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times)Jacksonville State baseball takes on Little Rock in a NCAA Tournament Regional Final at Pete Taylor Park in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on Sunday, May 31, 2026. (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times) (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times)1 / 19
Jax State baseball vs. Little Rock in NCAA Tournament regional final | Photos
Jacksonville State baseball takes on Little Rock in a NCAA Tournament Regional Final at Pete Taylor Park in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on Sunday, May 31, 2026. (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times) (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times)1 / 19
Jax State baseball vs. Little Rock in NCAA Tournament regional final | Photos
Jacksonville State baseball takes on Little Rock in a NCAA Tournament Regional Final at Pete Taylor Park in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on Sunday, May 31, 2026. (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times) (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times)2 / 19
Jax State baseball vs. Little Rock in NCAA Tournament regional final | Photos
Jacksonville State baseball takes on Little Rock in a NCAA Tournament Regional Final at Pete Taylor Park in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on Sunday, May 31, 2026. (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times) (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times)3 / 19
Jax State baseball vs. Little Rock in NCAA Tournament regional final | Photos
Jacksonville State baseball takes on Little Rock in a NCAA Tournament Regional Final at Pete Taylor Park in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on Sunday, May 31, 2026. (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times) (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times)4 / 19
Jax State baseball vs. Little Rock in NCAA Tournament regional final | Photos
Jacksonville State baseball takes on Little Rock in a NCAA Tournament Regional Final at Pete Taylor Park in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on Sunday, May 31, 2026. (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times) (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times)5 / 19
Jax State baseball vs. Little Rock in NCAA Tournament regional final | Photos
Jacksonville State baseball takes on Little Rock in a NCAA Tournament Regional Final at Pete Taylor Park in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on Sunday, May 31, 2026. (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times) (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times)6 / 19
Jax State baseball vs. Little Rock in NCAA Tournament regional final | Photos
Jacksonville State baseball takes on Little Rock in a NCAA Tournament Regional Final at Pete Taylor Park in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on Sunday, May 31, 2026. (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times) (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times)7 / 19
Jax State baseball vs. Little Rock in NCAA Tournament regional final | Photos
Jacksonville State baseball takes on Little Rock in a NCAA Tournament Regional Final at Pete Taylor Park in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on Sunday, May 31, 2026. (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times) (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times)8 / 19
Jax State baseball vs. Little Rock in NCAA Tournament regional final | Photos
Jacksonville State baseball takes on Little Rock in a NCAA Tournament Regional Final at Pete Taylor Park in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on Sunday, May 31, 2026. (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times) (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times)9 / 19
Jax State baseball vs. Little Rock in NCAA Tournament regional final | Photos
Jacksonville State baseball takes on Little Rock in a NCAA Tournament Regional Final at Pete Taylor Park in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on Sunday, May 31, 2026. (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times) (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times)10 / 19
Jax State baseball vs. Little Rock in NCAA Tournament regional final | Photos
Jacksonville State baseball takes on Little Rock in a NCAA Tournament Regional Final at Pete Taylor Park in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on Sunday, May 31, 2026. (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times) (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times)11 / 19
Jax State baseball vs. Little Rock in NCAA Tournament regional final | Photos
Jacksonville State baseball takes on Little Rock in a NCAA Tournament Regional Final at Pete Taylor Park in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on Sunday, May 31, 2026. (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times) (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times)12 / 19
Jax State baseball vs. Little Rock in NCAA Tournament regional final | Photos
Jacksonville State baseball takes on Little Rock in a NCAA Tournament Regional Final at Pete Taylor Park in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on Sunday, May 31, 2026. (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times) (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times)13 / 19
Jax State baseball vs. Little Rock in NCAA Tournament regional final | Photos
Jacksonville State baseball takes on Little Rock in a NCAA Tournament Regional Final at Pete Taylor Park in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on Sunday, May 31, 2026. (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times) (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times)14 / 19
Jax State baseball vs. Little Rock in NCAA Tournament regional final | Photos
Jacksonville State baseball takes on Little Rock in a NCAA Tournament Regional Final at Pete Taylor Park in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on Sunday, May 31, 2026. (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times) (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times)15 / 19
Jax State baseball vs. Little Rock in NCAA Tournament regional final | Photos
Jacksonville State baseball takes on Little Rock in a NCAA Tournament Regional Final at Pete Taylor Park in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on Sunday, May 31, 2026. (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times) (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times)16 / 19
Jax State baseball vs. Little Rock in NCAA Tournament regional final | Photos
Jacksonville State baseball takes on Little Rock in a NCAA Tournament Regional Final at Pete Taylor Park in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on Sunday, May 31, 2026. (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times) (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times)17 / 19
Jax State baseball vs. Little Rock in NCAA Tournament regional final | Photos
Jacksonville State baseball takes on Little Rock in a NCAA Tournament Regional Final at Pete Taylor Park in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on Sunday, May 31, 2026. (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times) (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times)18 / 19
Jax State baseball vs. Little Rock in NCAA Tournament regional final | Photos
Jacksonville State baseball takes on Little Rock in a NCAA Tournament Regional Final at Pete Taylor Park in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on Sunday, May 31, 2026. (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times) (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times)19 / 19
Jax State baseball vs. Little Rock in NCAA Tournament regional final | Photos
Jacksonville State baseball takes on Little Rock in a NCAA Tournament Regional Final at Pete Taylor Park in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on Sunday, May 31, 2026. (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times) (Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times)
Travis Creel
Role: Head Coach
Creel spent the past seven years at Southern Miss, spending time as the recruiting coordinator, hitting coach and infield coach. In his time in Hattiesburg, the Eagles made six NCAA Tournaments and two NCAA Super Regional appearances. He is the seventh head coach in Jax State history. This is his first head coaching job.
Anthony Izzio
Role: Associate Head Coach, Recruiting Coordinator
Izzio comes to Jax State after spending four years as Tulane's pitching coach and associate head coach. Tulane has made the American Conference title game the past three seasons.
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Danny Lynch
Role: Hitting Coach
Lynch spent last year with Abilene Christian and was previously head coach at Mississippi Delta Community College. Before that, he served as Southern Miss's director of hitting and infield development. He is a 2023 Southern Miss graduate.
Kyle Serrano
Role: Pitching Coach
Serrano comes to Jax State after two years at Johnson University (Knoxville, Tenn.) as the pitching coach. He played at Tennessee and within the Houston Astros organization from 2017 to 2022.
Ethan Payne
Role: Catchers Coach
Payne has spent the previous seven seasons with Tennessee. He was the camp coordinator the past two years after graduating in 2024, helping lead the Vols to the CWS title.
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Maxwell Donaldson covers high school sports, Jax State athletics, the outdoors in Alabama and more for the Gadsden Times and USA TODAY Network. Find him on Twitter/X @_Max_Donaldson and contact him at MDonaldson@usatodayco.com.