Josh Elander’s inaugural staff at Tennessee is officially set after hiring Craig Bell as the program’s new Director of Program Development. Bell comes to Tennessee after spending the last three years in the San Diego Padres’ organization and 15 seasons before that as an assistant coach on Kevin O’Sullivan’s staff at Florida.
Bell fills the spot on Tennessee’s coaching staff that was opened up when Elander promoted Josh Reynolds to pitching coach following Frank Anderson’s departure to the San Fransisco Giants.
“We are thrilled to welcome Craig Bell and his wife, Karri, to Knoxville,” Elander said in a statement. “Craig, an SEC veteran and national champion, brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our program. His diverse baseball background, encompassing scouting, player development, coaching and special assignments in professional baseball, makes him an invaluable asset. More importantly, his proven track record as a winner and his understanding of the demands of competing and succeeding in the SEC make him an ideal addition to our team.”
Bell is the third outside hire that Elander has made on his staff since becoming Tennessee’s head coach. Elander tabbed Chuck Jeroloman, who worked with Bell at Florida, as the Vols’ associate head coach. He also went to professional ranks to hire Milwaukee Brewers assistant strength coach Keegan Knoll as the program’s new Director of Sports Performance— a position that is very similar to strength and conditioning coaching.
The rest of Tennessee’s staff remains the same though Tennessee promoted Zach Stovall to Director of Baseball Strategy after he spent the previous two years as the Director of Analytics, KnoxNews Mike Wilson first reported Thursday morning.
Stovall’s responsibilities are now greater after Video Coordinator Sean McCann left for a position in the Giants’ organization. Beforehand, McCann and Stovall co-ran Tennessee’s analytics and video department.
Here’s a look at Tennessee’s full coaching staff entering Elander’s first season as Tennessee’s head coach.
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Head Coach: Josh Elander
Associate Head Coach: Chuck Jeroloman
Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator: Ross Kivett
Pitching Coach: Josh Reynolds
Director of Sports Performance: Keegan Knoll
Director of Program Development: Craig Bell
Director of Baseball Strategy: Zach Stovall
Director of Recruiting: Ricky Martinez
Director of Baseball Operations: Adam Low
Student Assistant Coach: Parker Serrano
Camp Coordinator: Ethan Payne
Individual Branding and Community Service Coordinator: Kirby Connell
Associate Director of Sports Medicine: Jeff Wood
Assistant Director of Sports Nutrition: Sarah Nguyen
