Dave Serrano, the former head baseball coach at Johnson University, announced on social media that he would be leaving the school after three seasons that saw the program surge into a national contender at the NAIA level.
A Quiet Departure at Johnson University
In his statement, Serrano expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity and underscored the remarkable progress the team had made, including a first‑ever appearance in the NAIA World Series and a historic 40‑win season that lifted the program from a 5‑44 record to 24‑22 in his debut year.
He added that his next focus will be on supporting his sons’ baseball ambitions and on his work with Showball Baseball showcases, a move that reflects both personal and professional priorities.
The departure comes as the university prepares for a new era, with Tony Vitello, who previously served as an assistant under Serrano at Tennessee, slated to take the helm of the Volunteers program after Serrano’s resignation.
Serrano’s coaching journey includes earlier successes at UC Irvine, where he led the team to its first College World Series appearance in 2007, and a stint at Cal State Fullerton that culminated in a College World Series run in 2009, earning him Baseball America’s National Coach of the Year in 2009.