By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director

JACKSONVILLE, Ala. — It didn’t take long for new Jacksonville State head baseball coach Travis Creel to turn towards home to make his first hire to his staff.

According to sources, Creel, an Ocean Springs native, is bringing in Anthony Izzio as his associate head coach and recruiting coordinator. Izzio, like Creel, also played his prep ball in Jackson County as he was a standout at Vancleave High.

Izzio comes to JSU after four seasons in the same role at Tulane. He stepped down for his post with the Green Wave last month. he also served as associate head coach last season.

Tulane head coach Jay Uhlman praised Izzio while announcing his departure.

“Thank you for giving every ounce of yourself to Tulane Baseball, our staff and our players,” he wrote. “You helped create two championship-winning teams, two regional appearances, 11 professional players and countless meaningful relationships that will last far beyond the game. On behalf of the entire program, we have nothing but gratitude for everything you poured into this place. We wish you and your family nothing but success and happiness in whatever comes next.”

Izzio said on social media that the move was a difficult decision and “I will always be grateful to be part of something so special,” pointing to two regional appearances and three consecutive American Athletic Conference championship game appearances.

Media reports out of New Orleans indicated that Izzio was popular with his players, who often cited him as a key factor in their choosing Tulane. As the lone holdover assistant from 2025, he also helped bring in a transfer class last summer that the website 64Analytics rated the 16th best in the nation and the best among non-power four conference schools.

Izzio arrived in the Big Easy from Charleston Southern University in the summer of 2022. Izzio returned to Tulane in 2022 after previously serving on the Green Wave staff during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season before spending two years at Charleston Southern. He was promoted to associate head coach in the fall of 2024.

Known for his work with pitchers and recruiting, Izzio earned a reputation as one of the top young assistants in college baseball. Tulane’s pitching staff developed several professional prospects under his direction, including Michael Lombardi, Chandler Welch and Dylan Carmouche.

Tulane finished the 2026 season with a 33-25 overall record and remained one of the AAC’s top contenders under Uhlman’s leadership.

Creel arrives at Jax State after seven highly successful seasons at Southern Miss, where he served as recruiting coordinator, hitting coach and infield coach while helping guide the Golden Eagles to six NCAA Tournament appearances, two Super Regional appearances, multiple conference championships and more than 220 victories.