Southern Miss announced on Sunday that Christian Ostrander will become the school’s 14th baseball coach at the end of the 2023 season.

Ostrander is just the fifth Southern Miss baseball coach since 1959, following Pete Taylor (1959-83), Hill Denson (1984-1997), Corky Palmer (1998-2009) and current head coach Scott Berry (2010-2023), who announced his retirement earlier last week.

“I am excited for, and extremely proud Christian will be our next Head Baseball Coach at USM,” said Berry, per release. “Watching Christian learn and develop over the past 6 years, he understands what Southern Miss Baseball all is about! His loyalty, work ethic, and commitment to tradition will endear him to our Southern Miss Faithful.”

Ostrander has served as the Associate Head Coach for the past two seasons and has been with the program for six years overseeing the pitching staff. Ostrander has been a part of four NCAA regional berths with Scott Berry.

Within his pitching staff, he has coached one national Pitcher of the Year, two Dick Howser and Golden Spikes national semifinalists, two Ferriss Trophy winners, five All-Americans, one freshman All-American, and three Conference USA Pitchers of the Year. Last season, Ostrander was named C-USA Assistant Coach of the Year for the second consecutive season; he is the only coach to ever win that award twice in its history.

“I am excited to announce Christian Ostrander as the next head baseball coach at Southern Miss. 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. 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.” Southern Miss Director of Athletics Jeremy McClain said, per release.

Ostrander came to Southern Miss after spending two seasons at Louisiana Tech.

Here is Ostrander’s statement, per release:

“I am extremely honored and humbled for the opportunity to be the next Head Baseball Coach at The University of Southern Mississippi,” said Ostrander. “The rich tradition that had been built here 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. On behalf of my family, wife Amy, and daughters Caitlin and Allie, I would like to thank University President Dr. Joe Paul, Director of Athletics Jeremy McClain and Coach Berry for this tremendous opportunity.”

A press conference and fan celebration to officially announce Ostrander will be held following the conclusion of the season.