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USF baseball hitting coach Alan Kunkel left the program earlier this week to take a position with UAB. Head coach Billy Mohl didn’t take long to bring on his replacement as volunteer coach Karsten Whitson will now become a full-time paid coach for the Bulls.
SCOOP: @UAB_Baseball head coach Casey Dunn is expected to fill out his full-time coaching staff with @GSAthletics_BSB’s BJ Green and @USFBaseball’s Alan Kunkel, sources tell @d1baseball.
— Kendall Rogers (@KendallRogers) June 29, 2021
UPDATED CAROUSEL: https://t.co/HAlzvOaiEG
Thank you @USF_CoachMohl @WhitsonKarsten @BoDurkac and @USFBaseball for an unbelievable 2 seasons. Never thought it would pass so quickly but a family I have gained! I can’t thank you all enough for the lessons and your friendship.
— Alan Kunkel (@alan_kunkel) June 29, 2021
Can’t thank @alan_kunkel enough from bringing me over to @USFBaseball , excited for what the future holds for you at UAB. Couldn’t be happier for you, they are getting a great head coach and an even better person. @WhitsonKarsten LFG!! No one deserves it more! https://t.co/eqX5daf2jZ
— Chamo (@robertopena99) June 29, 2021
Kunkel has a prior relationship with new UAB coach Casey Dunn which helped sway the decision to leave USF after just two (ish) seasons.
Under Kunkel’s tutelage, the Bulls found success in 2021 after a rough COVID shortened 2020 season, and helped turn USF into AAC champion, and Gainesville regional winner.
Whitson has been on staff since 2020, and has primarily worked with the pitchers as their pitching coach. He was a former first round pick by San Diego Padres out of high school, but chose instead to pitch in college for the Florida Gators. He was drafted two more times in 2013 (37th round by the Washington Nationals), and 2014 (11th round by the Boston Red Sox).