Auburn University has appointed Nick Ammirati as its new hitting coach, filling the vacancy left by Gabe Gross, who is transitioning to a broader role within the athletic department. The move, confirmed by the university’s baseball program, signals a fresh direction for a program seeking to rebound after a modest offensive showing in the 2025 season.
Ammirati arrives after two seasons as the hitting coach at the University of Georgia, where he helped the Bulldogs capture the SEC title and secure a berth in the 2024 College World Series. Under his guidance, Georgia led the conference in batting average, hits, RBIs and home runs, outpacing Mississippi State by 50 homers and 67 RBIs.
His success is not limited to team statistics. Ammirati’s work with catchers has been particularly noteworthy; he mentored Georgia’s Daniel Jackson to a 32‑home‑run, 87‑RBI season that earned Jackson the Golden Spikes Award. That same ability to develop backstops is what Auburn hopes to harness with senior catcher Chase Fralick, who hit 20 homers in 2026.
Butch Thompson, Auburn’s head coach, praised Ammirati’s track record, stating that his ‘proven ability to craft a winning offense’ aligns perfectly with the program’s ambitions. Thompson highlighted the coach’s experience at Mississippi State, where he played under Thompson as an assistant, as a foundation for mutual understanding.
A Strategic Shift for Auburn’s Offense
The hiring is being framed as a strategic shift aimed at revitalizing a lineup that has seen a dip in power production over the past two years. By integrating Ammirati’s proven hitting philosophy, Auburn hopes to climb back into the upper echelon of SEC offenses.
Fans and analysts alike are already speculating on how the new coach’s approach will mesh with the existing roster. With Fralick poised to lead the charge, the expectation is that Auburn’s home‑run tally could see a marked increase, potentially reshaping the team’s competitive standing.