News Summary
Jake Gautreau has been appointed as the new hitting coach for East Carolina University baseball after an impressive tenure at Mississippi State University. Gautreau’s experience includes leading the Bulldogs to multiple College World Series appearances, including their national championship in 2021. His coaching philosophy emphasizes building player relationships, and he was named D1Baseball Assistant of the Year in 2019. Now, as he begins his role at East Carolina, Gautreau aims to enhance the Pirates’ offensive strategy, following their recent success in the American Athletic Conference.
Greenville, NC – Jake Gautreau has been appointed as the hitting coach for East Carolina University baseball, marking a new chapter in his coaching career following an extensive tenure at Mississippi State University. Gautreau’s hiring comes after he served as an assistant coach for the Bulldogs since 2017, where he was instrumental in shaping the team’s offense and solidifying its reputation as a notable force in college baseball.
During his eight-year stint at Mississippi State, Gautreau had the opportunity to work under four different head coaches and played a pivotal role in the Bulldogs’ success. Under his guidance, the team reached the College World Series three times. His contributions peaked in 2021 when he was part of the coaching staff that led the Bulldogs to their only national championship, a significant achievement celebrated throughout the university and its baseball community.
Gautreau’s coaching philosophy, rooted in building strong relationships with his players, earned him recognition as a players’ coach. His efforts on the offensive front have been a highlight of his coaching career. He was honored as the D1Baseball Assistant of the Year in 2019, a testament to his effectiveness as an offensive leader, particularly during his tenure that helped the team return to Omaha in the inaugural year of head coach Chris Lemonis.
However, Gautreau’s time at Mississippi State was not without challenges. Following a disappointing 2025 season that resulted in the firing of head coach Chris Lemonis, the Bulldogs underwent a transition period. After Lemonis’s dismissal, pitching coach Justin Parker stepped in as the interim head coach. During this time, Gautreau and assistant Kyle Cheesebrough showed resilience, guiding the team to a 9-1 finish for the season and securing a berth in the Tallahassee Regional of the NCAA tournament. Unfortunately, their campaign ended when they were eliminated by Florida State.
In the aftermath of these changes, Parker remained with Mississippi State as the pitching coach under new head coach Brian O’Connor, while Gautreau and Cheesebrough departed from the program. Cheesebrough was subsequently hired as an assistant coach at the University of Houston, while Gautreau’s decision to join East Carolina marks a significant step forward in his coaching journey.
As for East Carolina, the Pirates finished the 2025 season with a record of 35-27 and made headlines by winning the American Athletic Conference tournament. Their outstanding performance secured an automatic entry into the NCAA tournament, although they were ultimately defeated by Coastal Carolina in the Conway Regional. As the new hitting coach for East Carolina, Gautreau is expected to leverage his extensive experience and success in player development to enhance the Pirates’ offensive strategy and overall performance in subsequent seasons.
Gautreau’s role at East Carolina begins amidst optimism, as he brings with him a proven track record of fostering offensive talent and achieving high-level competitive success. The Pirates are looking forward to what new and improved offensive tactics Gautreau will instill in the program as they prepare for the upcoming baseball season.
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- East Carolina Pirates Official Site
- Columbus Dispatch
- Daily Journal
- WITN
- Google Search: Jake Gautreau baseball coach
