Ole Miss Baseball Welcomes New Pitching Coach Joel Mangrum

Former Guardian’s Coach Moves to College Baseball

The University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) in Oxford announced a significant change in their baseball program on Thursday. Head coach Mike Bianco officially appointed Joel Mangrum as the new pitching coach. Mangrum gained his coaching reputation during a successful six-season tenure with the Cleveland Guardians, four of which he spent as the minor league pitching coordinator.

Experience and Performance

A Mississippi College graduate and Brandon native, Mangrum had a significant role managing player development in the Guardians’ organization. During his tenure, he helped in grooming minor league pitchers for the transition to major league baseball (MLB). His contributions led to the Cleveland team boasting the sixth-best Earned Run Average (ERA) in the MLB this year.

A noteworthy highlight of Mangrum’s performance includes the development of the Guardians’ five-man starting rotation which currently houses three homegrown talents. Their success is, at least partially, credited to Mangrum’s professional nurturance. Additionally, five key players in the Guardians’ bullpen who exhibited successful performances — all with ERAs below 2.70 — were also developed during Mangrum’s time.

Prior to his venture in professional baseball, Mangrum had a lengthy career in collegiate baseball, serving as an assistant coach at several institutions including Louisiana-Monroe, New Mexico State, Austin Peay, Milligan College, and Hinds Community College.

Anticipation for Future Success

“We are super excited to bring Joel to Oxford and Ole Miss baseball,” stated Bianco enthusiastically, adding, “He has a unique and dynamic way of developing pitchers and has proven his success at both the professional and collegiate levels.”

The acquistion of Mangrum followed a discussion between Bianco and Ole Miss Athletic Director Keith Carter, particularly after the Rebels’ recent consecutive losing seasons. Bianco, a former catcher, has been managing duties typically assigned to a pitching coach. It remains unclear whether he will be delegating those responsibilities to Mangrum.

Despite the team’s recent performance, Mangrum joins a program significantly enriched with potential. Notably, the Rebels squad includes lefthander Liam Doyle, fresher Wes Mendes, and righthanded starters Riley Maddox and Mason Nichols, all of whom have exhibited promising performances over the past season. Furthermore, Maddox and Nichols will qualify for the 2024 MLB Draft, presenting another exciting prospect.

Mangrum’s Reaction to the Appointment

“I’m really excited to be joining the Ole Miss baseball family,” Mangrum expressed in a release. “I’m incredibly thankful for the opportunity that coach Bianco has provided me and my family. This is a dream come true. We look forward to making Oxford home and helping continue the tradition of Ole Miss baseball being a national power in college baseball.”