A new era for USC pitching
The University of Southern California announced the hiring of Keith Zuniga as its new pitching coach, marking a strategic move to revitalize the program's mound talent. Zuniga, who most recently served as an assistant at New Mexico State, will replace Sean Allen, who departed for a head‑coaching position at Lamar University.
Zuniga's reputation stems from his tenure at the University of Hawaii, where he guided the Rainbow Warriors to top‑tier national rankings in ERA, hits allowed per nine innings and WHIP. Under his guidance, the staff posted some of the best defensive statistics in the country, drawing attention from programs across the West Coast.
His coaching journey includes a decade of experience at New Mexico State, where he first served as an assistant before stepping in as interim head coach after Mike Kirby's dismissal. At Bethune‑Cookman University, Zuniga played a pivotal role in assembling the school's highest‑ranked recruiting class in 2019, a class that featured future professional talent.
The impact of his work is evident in the draft outcomes of his pupils. Six pitchers he mentored at New Mexico State earned either draft selections or professional contracts following the 2022 season, underscoring his ability to develop raw talent into competitive prospects.
Zuniga's immediate priority at USC will be to scout the transfer portal, seeking experienced arms to shore up the pitching rotation for the upcoming campaign. By leveraging his extensive network and proven evaluation skills, he aims to assemble a deeper, more versatile staff capable of competing in the Pac‑12.
The transition from Allen to Zuniga reflects a broader reshaping of USC's baseball philosophy. While Allen's tenure at Lamar focuses on building a program from the ground up, Zuniga's arrival signals USC's intent to blend proven development expertise with the resources of a major‑conference institution.