A Sudden Departure at Johnson University
Johnson University announced this week that longtime baseball mentor Dave Serrano has stepped down from his head coaching post, bringing an abrupt close to a five‑year stretch that reshaped the program.
During his time in Knoxville, Serrano compiled a 100‑53 overall record, steering the Royals to their first 40‑win campaign in 2026 and securing a spot in the Avista NAIA World Series. The run also produced two NAIA Tournament appearances and a milestone 100th victory celebrated in the tournament that year.
The achievement was not an isolated flash of brilliance. Serrano had previously authored three Big West championships while at California State University, Fullerton, and had amassed a strong coaching pedigree at UC Irvine, Cal State Northridge and earlier stops at Tennessee.
At Tennessee, he served as an assistant to Rod Delmonico from 1995 to 1996 before taking the helm at the University of Tennessee from 2012 to 2017, posting a 157‑163 record. His early career also included a three‑year run at UC Irvine from 2005 to 2007, where he continued to build a reputation for developing competitive teams.
University officials praised Serrano’s impact on student‑athletes and expressed confidence that the program will build on the foundation he helped create. While the search for a successor is already underway, the administration emphasized a commitment to maintaining the winning culture he established.