Travis Creel Takes the Helm at Jacksonville State
Travis Creel, the longtime Southern Miss baseball assistant coach, has accepted a new position as head coach at Jacksonville State, a move confirmed on June 14.
Creel’s departure follows the recent hiring of Steve Bieser as the head coach at Grand Canyon, who took over the role on June 2, creating a vacancy that Jacksonville State moved quickly to fill.
Creel spent six years on the Southern Miss staff, initially joining in 2020 as the program’s hitting coach under Scott Berry, and later continuing under Christian Ostrander after Berry’s retirement in 2023.
A Legacy of Success at Southern Miss
During his tenure, Creel helped guide the Golden Eagles to seven NCAA Tournament appearances and two super‑regional berths, while the team’s batting average climbed each season except in 2026, culminating in a .287 team average, 86 home runs and an OPS of .854.
His impact extended beyond the lineup; he contributed to defensive schemes, oversaw recruiting efforts, and was part of a coaching staff that set a program record with six hits in a single game.
Before returning to Hattiesburg, Creel honed his leadership at Meridian Community College, Jones County Junior College — where he helped capture the NJCAA Division II national championship in 2016 — and at Louisiana Tech.
What This Means for Jacksonville State
The hiring marks a significant shift for Jacksonville State, which will now be led by a coach with deep ties to the Southern Miss program and a proven track record of player development and offensive production.
Fans and analysts alike are watching how Creel’s offensive‑focused philosophy will translate to the new conference, and how the program will build on the momentum generated during his years at Southern Miss.