Mark Calvi became the fifth head coach in University of South Alabama baseball history following the 2011 season after serving as associate head coach and head coach-in-waiting. Under his leadership, the Jaguars have captured three Sun Belt Conference championships and one Sun Belt Tournament title, while earning multiple NCAA Regional appearances. In just his second season, Calvi guided South Alabama to a 40-plus win campaign, a conference championship, and an NCAA Regional berth, earning 2013 Sun Belt Coach of the Year and ABCA South Central Region Coach of the Year honors. His teams have consistently ranked among the nation’s best defensively, setting and resetting school records in fielding percentage while finishing in the top 10 nationally in multiple seasons. Numerous Jaguars have earned all-conference and All-America honors, and many have been selected in the MLB Draft, including first-round pick Travis Swaggerty and standout performers such as Kevin Hill, Ethan Wilson, and Brendan Donovan.
Prior to taking over at South Alabama, Calvi spent six seasons as pitching coach at South Carolina, helping lead the Gamecocks to the 2010 College World Series national championship and earning Collegiate Baseball’s National Pitching Coach of the Year award. His collegiate coaching career spans more than two decades, including 11 seasons at Florida International, where his pitching staffs twice led the nation in ERA and consistently ranked among the NCAA leaders. Over his career, Calvi has worked with more than 40 players who were drafted or signed professionally, including multiple Major League Baseball players. A former catcher at Nova Southeastern, Calvi signed professionally with the Seattle Mariners and later worked as a scout. A native of Marco Island, Florida, he earned his degree in secondary education and continues to build South Alabama into a nationally competitive program.
