University of Tennessee Athletics
Bell Named UT Pitching Coach
August 09, 2004 | Baseball
Aug. 9, 2004
University of Tennessee head baseball coach Rod Demonico announced the addition of Mike Bell to the coaching staff. Bell replaces Fred Corral, who left for a similar position at the University of Oklahoma, as the Volunteers' pitching coach. "We are excited about the addition of Mike to our staff," said Delmonico. "He is one of the top young pitching coaches who will be an excellent instructor to our pitchers." Bell comes to Tennessee following a two-year stint at Division II Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Fla., where he served as the pitching coach and recruiting coordinator. Both of his pitching staffs ranked in the top 20 nationally in earned run average while posting a 79-35 record. He saw two of his pitchers Gabe Rio (Arizona) and Ryan Thompson (Houston) sign professional contracts during his tenure. "Mike did a great job in his two years at Florida Southern and I expect a smooth transition into the Southeastern Conference," said Delmonico. "He was a solid collegian and professional player who knows how to teach and guide a pitching staff. He is a good fit into our program." "I'm really excited about the challenge of leading a pitching staff into the SEC," said Bell. "Tennessee has had a strong presence in the league under Coach Delmonico and I'm looking forward to meeting with the guys." Prior to that, he served one year as the head baseball coach at Brandon (Fla.) High School, guiding it to the 2002 regional finals while earning 4-A Area Coach of the Year (Florida Athletic Coaches Association) and Hillsborough County Coach of the Year (Tampa Tribune) honors. The 1996 graduate of Florida State University spent six years in professional baseball with the Montreal Expos and Baltimore Orioles organizations. The left-handed pitcher was a 20th-round draft pick by Montreal in 1995 and advanced to play two seasons with the Double-A Bowie Baysox in 1999 and 2000. As a pitcher/first baseman, he helped lead the Seminoles to back-to-back College World Series appearances in 1994 and 1995. He fashioned a 14-4 career record with a 3.00 ERA, striking out 120 in 137.2 innings. Bell was twice named to the Atlantic Coast Conference Academic Honor Roll as well as being a GTE District Academic All-America in 1995. He even garnered ACC Pitcher of the Week honors on March 25, 1995. He earned an associates degree at Pasco-Hernando (Fla.) Community College where he was a two-time All-Sun Coast Conference selection. He set a school record by hitting .372 his last year. The Sarasota, Fla., native attended Riverview High School where he was a two-time all-area selection by the Sarasota Herald Tribune.
