Tennessee baseball announced the hiring of Austin Knight as its new pitching coach, filling the vacancy left by Josh Reynolds after a brief stint.
Knight arrives after five seasons as pitching coach at East Carolina, where he oversaw a staff that climbed to 20th nationally in ERA, 25th in WHIP and 28th in strikeout‑to‑walk ratio during the 2026 season.
A Proven Track Record
Under his direction, the Pirates produced several standout arms, most notably Trey Yesavage, a first‑round pick in the 2024 MLB draft who opened the 2023 World Series for the Toronto Blue Jays.
The Volunteers’ pitching staff, which had held a top‑20 spot in team ERA for seven straight years, slipped to 49th nationally in 2026, prompting the administration to seek fresh expertise.
Knight’s own collegiate background includes a stint as a catcher at Ole Miss from 2012 to 2015, grounding him in the traditions of the SEC and providing a unique perspective as he transitions to a coaching role in Knoxville.
Fans and analysts alike are optimistic that his analytical approach and player‑development pedigree will restore Tennessee’s pitching pedigree and push the program back into the national conversation.