Following the recent announcement that Scott Berry will be retiring at the end of the season, Southern Miss wasted no time introducing the university’s next head baseball coach.
Christian Ostrander, who is in his sixth season as an assistant with the program, will take over head coaching duties at the conclusion of the 2023 season. He will be the school’s 14th head coach and just the fifth since 1959, following in the footsteps of legends Pete Taylor (1959-83), Hill Denson (1984-1997), Corky Palmer (1998-2009), and Berry (2010-2023).
“I am extremely honored and humbled for the opportunity to be the next head baseball coach at the University of Southern Miss,” Ostrander said. “The rich tradition that has been built over the years by Coach Taylor, Coach Denson, Coach Palmer, and Coach Berry is truly incredible and admirable. It is with great excitement and great privilege to lead this program moving forward.”
During his first five years leading the pitching unit in Hattiesburg, Ostrander has helped the Golden Eagles to four NCAA berths and one super regional appearance while mentoring multiple All-Americans and Conference USA Pitchers of the Year. Ostrander’s consistent success has also resulted in him being named C-USA Assistant Coach of the Year in both 2021 and 2022.
As the news of Ostrander’s hiring continues to circulate on social media, the general consensus has been that the move was a “no-brainer” for Southern Miss.
COACHING NEWS: To no surprise, @SouthernMissBSB, as we expected, has promoted long-time pitching coach Christian Ostrander to head coach. That was the no-brainer move. Ostrander is an absolute rockstar. pic.twitter.com/Rmn4M3BnK3
— Kendall Rogers (@KendallRogers) May 21, 2023
To the surprise of absolutely no one, Christian “Oz” Ostrander has been named Southern Miss’s next head baseball coach. No-brainer. Earned it.
— Rick Cleveland (@rick_cleveland) May 21, 2023
A no-brainer; Christian Ostrander named #USM’s 14th head baseball coach.
Last year I highlighted his path to Hattiesburg and his relationship with AD Jeremy McClain, former teammate at @DeltaStateBSB.
Coach Oz is a 2-time C-USA assistant of the yr@wdam @SouthernMissBSB #SMTTT pic.twitter.com/Oz2D2GZQfo
— Taylor Curet (@TaylorCuret) May 21, 2023
Southern Miss (37-16, 22-8 Sun Belt), currently projected as a two-seed for the NCAA Tournament, will be back in action on Wednesday when the conference tournament begins.
