•     Led USF to a historic 2021 season, when the Bulls won the American Athletic Conference Tournament and the Gainesville Regional to earn the program’s first appearance in the NCAA Super Regionals

•     Sixteen of his USF pitchers have been drafted and four have made the major leagues

•     Has developed 13 All-AAC players in six seasons as head coach and eight All-AAC pitchers during his nine-year association with the program

•     Guided the Bulls to the AAC Tournament semifinals and earned an NCAA Regional bid in his first season as head coach in 2018

•     His 2017 pitching staff led the nation and set a program record with 10.1 strikeouts per nine innings

•     Spent five seasons on Mark Kingston’s staff at Illinois State and joined him as an assistant at USF

•     Played four seasons at Tulane, where he was named to the Conference USA All-Freshman Team and played on its 2005 College World Series team. Inducted into the Tulane Athletics Hall of Fame in 2023.

Billy Mohl has helped USF baseball to unprecedented achievements in five seasons as the head coach and eight total seasons on the staff.

After a magical 2021 season — when the Bulls won their first conference title in 26 years, registered back-to-back triumphs against Florida and Miami to capture the Gainesville Regional and earned the first NCAA Super Regionals appearance in program history — Mohl said it was an affirmation that the biggest goals in college baseball are achievable at USF.

“We had a young club and we struggled with consistency, but we showed great perseverance,’’ Mohl says. “We didn’t quit and we eventually changed the trajectory of where we were heading. Our guys hadn’t been in the fire before and they came out of it, so it was a lesson.

“We’re in a great location. We’re in a tremendous area and state for baseball. Our stadium is great and we continue to build our fan base. We are definitely moving in the right direction.”

Mohl, who was named the program’s seventh head coach on June 30, 2017 after serving as USF’s pitching coach for three seasons, has developed 10 players into All-American Athletic Conference honors as a head coach, including Carmine Lane as a first-teamer in 2022. Mohl has produced seven All-AAC pitchers during his association with USF’s program.

Sixteen of his USF pitchers have been drafted and four have made the major leagues, including Jimmy Herget, Phoenix Sanders, Peter Strzelecki and Shane McClanahan, a 2018 first-rounder by the Tampa Bay Rays, who finished seventh in the 2021 American League Rookie of the Year voting and shows signs of becoming the team’s long-term ace.

“USF baseball is in good hands with Billy Mohl,’’ McClanahan says. “He did a lot for me as a pitcher and a lot for me as a person. I believe he will get our program to the next level and keep it there.’’

Mohl has been part of four NCAA Tournament teams at USF, including two when he served as Mark Kingston’s pitching coach from 2015-17.

The 2023 season saw five Bulls earn All-AAC Honors including: Bobby Boser (All-AAC First Team), Drew Brutcher (First Team), Eric Snow (First Team, Defensive Player of the Year, All-Freshman Team), Jack Cebert (Second Team) and Rafael Betancourt (All-Freshman Team). In 2022, USF had four players selected in the MLB Draft, the most among any AAC team – Orion Kerkering (fifth-round), Jack Jasiak (12th), Brad Lord (18th) and Carmine Lane (19th).

The clear highlight was 2021. The Bulls were picked to finish last in the AAC preseason poll, but ended up being one of the most memorable teams in USF athletics history.

The Bulls defeated rival UCF in the championship game to win the program’s first AAC Tournament title — and the program’s first conference championship since 1995. USF earned the program’s 14th NCAA Tournament appearance, but was still lightly regarded heading to the Gainesville Regional. But the Bulls dispatched of host and nationally-ranked Florida, perennial powerhouse Miami, and outlasted South Alabama in a thrilling comeback victory to advance to the program’s first-ever Super Regional, where they fell in two games at No. 2 Texas.

USF became just the seventh Regional No. 4 seed to ever advance to a Super Regional under the current NCAA format. Drew Brutcher and Lane were both named Freshman All-Americans, becoming just the third set of teammates to do so in the same season, and first since 2009. The Bulls were ranked inside the final Top 25 by five different publications, checking in as high as No. 16.

Following a 26-win season in 2019, Mohl led the Bulls to a 6-11 record in his third year as skipper before the 2020 campaign was suspended due to COVID-19. In 2020 the Bulls were pitted against power five programs nine times, including No. 1 Florida, No. 6 Miami and No. 12 Florida State. The pitching staff displayed strong outings from newcomers and veterans, led by Carson Ragsdale (Phillies’ fourth-round pick) and true freshman Jack Jasiak. USF’s pitching staff finished 11th nationally and first in the AAC for strikeouts per nine innings with 11.8 in 2020.

In his first season as head coach, Mohl’s Bulls finished 36-22-1 (14-9-1 AAC), advanced to the semifinals of the conference tournament for the first time since 2012 and made a second straight NCAA Tournament appearance.

Mohl led one of the nation’s top pitching staffs that saw two arms selected in the 2018 MLB Draft with first-rounder McClanahan and closer Andrew Perez (eighth round). USF’s pitchers finished fifth nationally with 10 strikeouts per nine innings and 581 total strikeouts, the fourth-consecutive season the team reached 500 K’s. Prior to Mohl’s first season with the Bulls in 2015, the program had secured 500 strikeouts in a season just once. Senior right hander Peter Strzelecki, along with Perez, were both All-AAC selections. Strzelecki led the league with nine wins and signed as a non-drafted free agent with the Milwaukee Brewers (earning his MLB call-up on June 30, 2022).

In Mohl’s third season as the architect of the pitching staff in 2017, the arms reaped the benefits of his leadership and had one of the best seasons in program history. The staff posted a program record 620 strikeouts, as it was the third consecutive season of at least 500 strikeouts and the first time the Bulls have ever matched 500-plus strikeouts over a three-year span. The team’s 10.1 strikeouts per nine innings led the nation and set a program record. Mohl developed a staff that was often eight-nine men deep. Each arm that logged at least 10.0 innings struck out double-digit hitters. Mohl helped the progression of junior righty Joe Cavallaro, who transitioned into the bullpen, and redshirt freshman McClanahan and redshirt junior Peter Strzelecki, who both missed the 2016 season due to Tommy John surgery.

Cavallaro struck out 77 batters in 59.1 innings while walking just 19 and pitched to a 2.28 ERA. McClanahan led the AAC with 12.32 strikeouts per nine innings and an opponent batting average of .181. Both he and senior Phoenix Sanders struck out more than 100 batters (109 for McClanahan and 104 for Sanders). It was the first time since 2010 that two USF pitchers fanned more than 100 men in a single season. Strzelecki finished second in the AAC with a 2.42 ERA and was named to the All-AAC Second Team along with Sanders. McClanahan earned freshman All-America honors and of the four Bulls who were drafted, three were pitchers. Sanders was taken in the 10th round by the Rays, Cavallaro was taken in the 24th round by the New York Mets and redshirt senior righty Ryan Valdes was selected in the 33rd round by the Pittsburgh Pirates.

During the 2016 season, Mohl’s staff posted 517 strikeouts, the second-highest total in program history. It was also the second consecutive season of 500 strikeouts, the first time the Bulls have ever matched 500-plus strikeouts over a two-year span. The team’s 9.2 strikeouts per nine innings led the AAC and were the ninth-most in the country. Mohl was also instrumental in guiding closer Tommy Eveld in his transition from football to baseball. Eveld finished with a team-high nine saves, and a bullpen best 2.21 ERA and .189 opponent batting average. The redshirt junior was then selected in the ninth round by the Arizona Diamondbacks. Mohl also coached pitcher Brandon Lawson to a team-low 2.50 ERA and 111 strikeouts, second most in the AAC. The junior was then drafted in the 12th round by the Rays.

In 2015, his first season at USF, Mohl helped the Bulls reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2002. Mohl’s pitching staff led the AAC with 513 strikeouts, the most for the program in 20 years (546 strikeouts in 1995). The Bulls also secured 16 saves, second-most in the conference. In AAC action, USF boasted the second-most strikeouts (194) and placed third in team ERA (3.31). Mohl coached pitcher Jimmy Herget to a 10-win season and guided him to being selected in the sixth round by the Cincinnati Reds. Herget’s 113 strikeouts in just 101.2 innings were also the second-best mark in the AAC that season. Mohl’s efforts also helped pitcher Tommy Peterson to a 4-1 mark with a 1.93 ERA and 16 saves. Peterson’s success earned him a 12th-round selection from the Washington Nationals. Pitcher Casey Mulholland (5-9, 4.05 ERA) was also picked in the 37th round by the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Mohl came to USF after five seasons under Kingston at Illinois State, where the pitching staff saw dramatic improvements under his tutelage. During his five years in Normal, the Redbirds posted a 4.02 ERA, striking out 2,019 batters while walking just 1,053 over 2,390.1 innings. In the five years prior to Mohl’s arrival, Illinois State’s pitching staff had an ERA of 5.50 with 1,512 strikeouts and 929 walks in 2,222 innings.

Fifteen Redbird pitchers received All-Missouri Valley Conference honors, including the weekend rotation and closer for the 2014 squad. Jeremy Rhoades (4th round), Brock Stewart (6th round), Dylan Craig (12th round) and Dan Savas (19th round) were drafted in 2014, while Joe Claver signed a free-agent deal with the Toronto Blue Jays. Those five pitchers, along with the rest of the Illinois State pitching staff, led the country in strikeouts per nine innings with 9.4.

Mohl helped rehabbing Savas back to form after the right-hander missed the 2012 season following Tommy John surgery. In his final two seasons, Savas went 18-5 with a 1.95 ERA and 191 strikeouts over 203 innings. Mohl was also responsible for the development of Chris Razo, the first-ever MVC Pitcher of the Year award winner in Illinois State history in 2013.

Mohl was a recipient of the 2013 Tom Walter College Baseball Inspiration Award, which recognizes examples of inspiration in college baseball and is presented annually by CollegeBaseballInsider.com. Mohl’s wife, Sarah, was diagnosed with a rare form of cervical cancer in August of 2012. While she received treatment, Mohl began raising money to fund cancer research. Four weeks into the 2013 regular season, Mohl notified the team that he needed to leave to be by her side. That night, Illinois State rallied for a 17-6 win over No. 28 Miami in Coral Gables, Fla. Sarah passed away on March 25, 2013. Mohl returned to the team April 5 and Illinois State responded by winning 24 of its final 28 games en route to the first outright MVC title in school history.

Mohl has dedicated his time and energy to raising awareness for cancer research. A co-chair of the Vs. Cancer Foundation, a charity that raises money for childhood cancer research, Mohl’s teams have raised over $10,000 in each season of his involvement, and more than $120,000 total since his arrival at USF. Additionally, Mohl has raised more than $25,000 for cancer reach through Pelotonia, a non-profit organization that funds cancer research.

During his second season with Illinois State in 2011, Mohl led the pitching staff to a 3.30 ERA, the lowest mark by a Redbird team since 1983.  ISU also broke the program’s single-season win record in 2011 with 36 before it was surpassed again in 2013 when Illinois State won its first outright MVC championship in school history finishing the season with a 39-19 record.

Prior to arriving in Normal, Mohl spent three seasons at his alma mater, assisting Tulane to 107 wins. He worked with the Green Wave outfielders, hitters and pitchers while coaching first base and serving as director of the Rick Jones Tulane Baseball Camp.

In four seasons with the Green Wave, Mohl set the school single-season and career record for fewest walks-per-nine-inning average with marks of 1.27 (in 2003) and 1.67, respectively. The right-hander went 9-0 as a senior, becoming just the second regular starter in Tulane history to go undefeated. Mohl posted a career record of 25-7 at Tulane while striking out 224 batters and issuing just 57 walks over 308.0 IP.

Mohl was named to the Conference USA All-Freshman Team in 2003 and earned National Pitcher of the Week honors in 2005 after a combined no-hitter against Nicholls State. He was a part of Tulane’s 2005 College World Series team that earned the No. 1 national seed in the tournament. Mohl also earned an All-Star invitation with the Falmouth Commodores in the Cape Cod League after leading the team with a 1.62 ERA in 39 innings. He was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 25th round of the 2006 MLB Draft.

Born in Wheatridge, Colo., Mohl completed his bachelor’s degree at Tulane University in May 2007. He resides in Tampa with his wife, Krista, sons Hunter and Brock and stepsons, Mason and Grant

Chris Cates rejoined the USF coaching staff on July 2023. He was previously on staff at South Florida from 2015-19.

Cates arrived back in Tampa after spending the previous three seasons (2021-23) as an assistant coach at UCF. He also had two stints on the coaching staff at the University of Tampa and spent a season as an assistant at Florida State. Cates was drafted in the 38th round of the 2007 MLB Draft by Minnesota out of the University of Louisville and spent five seasons in the Twins’ organization.

Cates primarily worked with the infielders, assisted hitters and coached third base while at UCF.

He rejoined the Tampa Spartans in 2020 after previously coaching at UT during the 2014 campaign.

The Bulls made three NCAA Regional appearances (2015, 2017, 2018) during Cates’ previous tenure at USF. Among the players Cates worked with were Kevin Merrell (1st round pick by Oakland in 2017), David Villar (11th round pick by San Francisco in 2018), Coco Montes (15th round pick by Colorado in 2018) and Joe Genord (9th round pick by the New York Yankees in 2019).

Prior to USF, Cates was an assistant at Florida State University for the 2013 season. His primary responsibilities at FSU were in the development of the outfielders. Cates helped guide DJ Stewart, a 2015 first-round pick of the Baltimore Orioles, as well as other MLB draft picks Josh Delph (Angels) and Marcus Davis (Padres). In addition, Cates also worked in the outfield with former Heisman Trophy winner and current NFL QB Jameis Winston.

Selected in the 38th round of the 2007 MLB First Year Player Draft by Minnesota, Cates played for five seasons in the Twins’ minor league organization. He was named a two-time All-Star in the minors, earning his first nod in 2008 with the Beloit Snappers out of the Class A Midwest League. A year later, Cates made his second All-Star team, this time in his first season at the Class A-Advanced level of the Florida State League with the Fort Myers Miracle. In 2009, Cates earned the Twins’ organizational Defensive Player of the Year. Cates turned his second All-Star appearance into a promotion to the Double-A Eastern League, where he spent two seasons playing with the New Britain Rock Cats before retiring from professional baseball in 2011.

Cates graduated from the University of Louisville in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in sports administration. A four-year starter at shortstop for the Cardinals (2004-07), Cates started 239 games and hit .302 with 270 hits, 162 runs scored, 101 RBIs, 44 doubles, five triples and three home runs. He also showed great strike zone discipline, finishing his career with 89 walks to just 69 strikeouts. A 3-time all-conference player, Cates played an integral role in leading Louisville to its first-ever College World Series appearance in 2007. Voted team captain by his teammates and coaches, Cates was a semifinalist for the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award and the recipient of the Men’s BIG EAST/Aeropostale Scholar-Athlete award, which earned him a postgraduate scholarship.

Chris and his wife, Meagan, have a son, Cohen.