Southern Miss names Christian Ostrander as its newest head baseball coach

Scott Watkins
·2 min read
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Christian Ostrander has been named the 14th head coach in Southern Miss baseball history.

Southern Miss announced Sunday associate head coach and pitching coach Christian Ostrander as its newest head baseball coach.

Ostrander will be the 14th coach in USM history following Scott Berry’s retirement at the end of the 2023 season. Ostrander will be just the fifth leader of the Golden Eagles program since 1959.

“Christian brings not only an outstanding track record to the position, but also the commitment, accountability, and character we have grown to expect from our baseball program,” athletic director Jeremy McClain said in a press release. “As a Golden Eagle, he has been a major part of our success over the past six years and is well respected around the country for his work on and off the field. I look forward to his leadership and to working with him in continuing to elevate our program on a national level.”

Ostrander is in his sixth season on staff and second as associate head coach.

In his tenure at USM, Ostrander has developed multiple Conference USA Pitcher of the Year award winners in Nick Sandlin, Walker Powell and Tanner Hall.

Sandlin was named the National Pitcher of the Year in 2018 by Perfect Game/Rawlings.

“I am extremely honored and humbled for the opportunity to be the next Head Baseball Coach at The University of Southern Mississippi,” Ostrander said. “The rich tradition that had been built here over the years by Coach (Pete) Taylor, Coach (Hill) Denson, Coach (Corky) Palmer, and Coach Berry is truly incredible and admirable. It is with great excitement and great privilege to lead this program moving forward.”

Southern Miss is currently 37-16 and has the Sun Belt’s top team ERA despite losing 12 pitchers from last year’s staff.

“I am excited for, and extremely proud Christian will be our next Head Baseball Coach at USM,” Berry said. “Watching Christian learn and develop over the past six years, he understands what Southern Miss Baseball is all about! His loyalty, work ethic, and commitment to tradition will endear him to our Southern Miss Faithful.”

Ostrander is a Monroe, Louisiana native who was McClain’s teammate at Delta State before serving as his future AD’s pitching coach in 1999.

Ostrander also coached at Gulfport High School, Jones College and Louisiana Tech before arriving at USM.