A Coach With Deep Southern Roots
Jacksonville State University announced this week that Travis Creel will serve as the new head coach of its baseball program, ushering in a fresh direction for a program that has seen five coaches in its relatively short history.
Creel arrives after seven seasons at the University of Southern Mississippi, where he wore multiple hats—recruiting coordinator, hitting coach, and infield coach—while helping to shape talent that eventually reached the professional ranks.
His playing days at USM included a College World Series appearance in 2009 and two years as team captain, experiences that have informed his coaching philosophy and ability to connect with student‑athletes.
Before his tenure at Southern Miss, Creel honed his craft at Louisiana Tech University and Jones College, gaining a reputation as a meticulous strategist and a developer of hitters.
Athletic leaders at Jacksonville State cite his blend of analytical acumen and player‑first mindset as the qualities that will drive the program forward, especially as the team aims to compete at the highest level of collegiate baseball.
The hiring marks a strategic move to embed a coach who knows the Southern baseball landscape intimately, leveraging his network across Mississippi, Louisiana, and the broader region.