USM baseball coach Scott Berry to retire at end of season

 Scott Berry, the school’s all-time winningest coach in Southern Miss baseball history, said he will retire from coaching following the end of the 2023 season.

USM said a search for Berry’s successor is already under way and that person should be named in the near future.

“I could coach baseball forever; however, life continues to remind me our time is precious.,” Berry said in a letter to fans and alumni. “For the past 23 years, it has been my honor to work at The University of Southern Mississippi. The 2023 baseball season will be my final season as Head Baseball Coach.

“Our program has a solid foundation for this transition in leadership. I am sincerely grateful and humbled by your support for me and this program. Throughout my career, I have recognized that no one can do anything alone. I am grateful to all the staff, players, coaches, and Administrations for everything they have done to build our program.”

Berry, 60, has guided the Golden Eagles for the last 14 seasons and has been a part of the program for 23 years, joining the staff as an assistant coach under Coach Corky Palmer for the 2001 campaign. He is one of only four coaches to lead the Golden Eagle program since the 1959 campaign.

The four-time Conference USA Coach of the Year has led the Golden Eagles to five regular season conference crowns, four league tournament titles and eight NCAA Tournament berths, including two regional hosting and one super regional hosting opportunities.

The Golden Eagle program has produced more consecutive 40-plus win seasons than any other Division I program with six, and with Ole Miss and Florida State failing to reach 30 wins this spring, will have the most consecutive 30-plus win seasons at 21.

Berry surpassed Hill Denson last season as the school’s all-time winningest baseball coach, and entering his final regular-season series with Louisiana, compiled a 517-271-1 record over his time with the program.

“Thank you, Southern Miss Faithful,” Berry said, “it has been a blessing to me to serve as your Baseball Coach.”