After three consecutive losing seasons under Billy Mohl (26-29, 26-29, 26-29), USF fired their head coach and brought in Mitch Hannahs from Indiana State in June 2024.

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One year later: 31-25 overall, 16-11 in the American Athletic Conference, #3 seed in the conference tournament, first winning in-conference record since 2018.

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Here's what makes 2026 exciting: Hannahs brought an old-school, "mad mentality" approach to Tampa. He stayed off social media. He demanded emotion in practice. And he developed three pitchers into MLB Draft picks in year one, Corey Braun, Bryce Archie, and Austin Newton all got drafted despite the program coming off three straight losing years.

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BUILDING THE FUTURE ROSTER:

2027 Commits:

• Landon Dean - RHP (Premier Athlete)
• Kaleb Stockwell - RHP
• Landon McDonald - RHP
• Lucas Farrar - SS
• Moises Gudino - SS
• Ashby Piatt - LHP
• Orlando Vargas - SS

2028 Class: Actively recruiting. Ground-floor opportunity with a new coach.

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* Disclaimer: Premier Athletes cannot 100% guarantee the accuracy of the verbal college commitments listed. Commitments only include those that Premier is aware of.

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WHAT CHANGED SINCE 2024

• Out: Billy Mohl (fired after third straight losing season)
• In: Mitch Hannahs (355-214-1 at Indiana State, 5 NCAA appearances, 6 conference titles)
• Results: 31-25 (vs. 26-29), 16-11 AAC (vs. 11-16), #3 conference seed, AAC tournament semifinals
• The MLB Draft Factor: Three pitchers drafted (Braun, Archie, Newton)—all have options to return or sign
• Team ERA Improvement: 5.31 in 2025 (down from 6.82 in 2023)

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The Bottom Line: Hannahs took a broken program and made it competitive in the AAC in one year.

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‍THE NUMBERS THAT MATTER

• 2025 Season: 31-25 overall, 16-11 AAC (First winning season since 2021)
• Conference Finish: #3 seed in AAC Tournament (Made semifinals before losing to East Carolina twice)
• MLB Draft Picks: 3 pitchers selected (all in middle rounds)
• ERA Improvement: 5.31 (down from previous years' 6+ ERAs)

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Hannahs' Track Record:
→ 355 wins at Indiana State (11 seasons)
→ 6 conference titles
→ 5 NCAA Regional appearances
→ 2023 NCAA DI Midwest Region Coach of the Year

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WHY USF WORKS

You get American Conference competition, Tampa location, a coach who's proven he can rebuild programs fast, and immediate playing time opportunities as the roster continues to develop.

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The Track Record:

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→ First year: 31-25, AAC tournament semifinals
→ Three MLB draft picks in year one
→ Notable alumni: Shane McClanahan (Rays All-Star), Jimmy Herget, Austin Adams
→ Located in Tampa with year-round baseball weather

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What this means for recruits: Playing time exists for contributors. Hannahs isn't patient with mediocrity—he went 31-25 in year one by bringing intensity every day. If you can match that energy and produce, there's opportunity in Tampa.

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The 2026 Factor: Three drafted pitchers have decisions to make (stay or sign). Roster spots will open. Hannahs is actively building through recruiting and the portal.

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WHAT COACHES WANT (THE REAL VERSION)‍

Mitch Hannahs doesn't sugarcoat it. He wants players who come to practice "mad"—with intensity, purpose, and competitive fire.

• Emotional investment in the process
• Ability to contribute immediately in AAC play
• Coachable players who buy into old-school methods
• Academics that qualify (American Conference standards)
• Mental toughness (they started AAC play 9-5 after rough non-conference)

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If you're a 2027 or 2028 looking at USF, understand this: Hannahs rebuilt Indiana State into a conference champion. He just won 31 games at USF in year one. He's not here to babysit—he's here to win.

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FOR FAMILIES IN THE 2027 & 2028 CLASS:

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USF is actively building their roster under a coach who knows how to turn programs around fast. If your athlete fits the "mad mentality" culture and can contribute in the AAC, the opportunity is real.

If you want hand-holding and development time, look elsewhere.

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LET'S TALK STRATEGY

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If your athlete is a 2027 or 2028 and USF's (or a school alike) is of interest - let's talk.

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Schedule Your Strategy Call with Alex

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USF went from three straight losing seasons to 31 wins and three MLB draft picks in year one under Hannahs. Programs don't turn around by accident, make sure your athlete understands what it takes.

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P.S. Get on track this spring and summer. I help baseball players and their families get interest and offers from their top schools.

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• Premier Athletes Recruiting Program (4-figure investment) – Full-service: coaches outreach, video creation, bi-weekly check-ins, and our proven playbook to turn interest into legit offers.
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