After seven seasons as an assistant at Northwestern (La.) Youre not playing because youre the coachs son and you didnt fail because youre the coachs son. Growing up, "normal" for the Bianco boys meant taking batting practice and helping at Ole Miss baseball camps, fielding balls from Dad at Swayze and SEC road trips. In addition to the outstanding winning percentage, the demand for seats led to new renovations and additions at O-U Stadium/Swayze Field. Mike Bianco issues update on Hunter Elliott following first loss of 2023 season. For the first time in program history, the Rebels finished No. If they dont I dont really care. During the 2021 campaign, Doug Nikhazy became the programs fourth two-time All-American and its third unanimous All-American. In the NCAA Super Regional, the Rebels traveled to face top-ranked Louisiana-Lafayette and rallied after losing the first game to claim the NCAA Super Regional with wins in game two and three to secure the program's berth in the College World Series. Those wins are the most in Rebel baseball history and rank third all-time among coaches in the SEC. In 2018 and 2019, three Rebels were drafted as catchers in the top six rounds. He wants his sons to be their own man. Since taking over the Rebels, hes become the winningest coach in program history. He's also the son of Ole Miss baseball coach Mike Bianco. Its been fun having him as our dad and our coach.. The family'love for thegame started right there at Alex Box Stadium. Ole Miss lost its season opener against No. Bianco, a redshirt junior, elected to leave the program after four seasons in Baton Rouge. Henry also joined Nathan Baker and Zach Miller on the SEC All-Freshman team. Nick Fortes signed with the Miami Marlins after they chose him in the fourth round in 2018, while Thomas Dillard (5th Round - Milwaukee Brewers) and Cooper Johnson (6th Round - Detroit Tigers) were quickly taken off the board in 2019. In 2021, Tim Elko became the programs first SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year. A kid from south Florida fell in love with a Louisiana girl at the baseball field, Mike said. Hes a dad first, and a coach second. In his 28 years as either an assistant or head coach at Northwestern State, LSU, McNeese State and Ole Miss, Bianco has coached 166players who have gone on to sign professional contracts. Rebels Return to Omaha
MLB Rebs
"I don't really know if I can put it into words," he said. You've got to respect Mike Bianco, the Ole Miss baseball coach. This season is the first time three Biancos Ben, Drew and Sam will share the same diamond. We got to come out and catch ground balls, practice with the Ole Miss baseball team, and my dad just always helped us out with the game. The 2014 season will go down as one of the best in Ole Miss history. University of Houston utility player Drew Bianco stole a home run while flipping over the back fence during a Sunday game. He is the cornerstone in this baseball family. Ole Miss set the stage for the move to the next level in 2004 as the Rebels earned another berth in the postseason, marking the first time in program history that Ole Miss reached an NCAA Regional in back-to-back seasons. They were in the same ballpark for Drew's Senior Day. After the Tigers' 1997 College World Series title run, Bianco was named the head coach at McNeese State in July of that year. On Monday, June 13, 2005, the Rebels' Super Regional game against eventual national champion Texas was the third-most watched television broadcast of a college baseball game in the history of ESPN. Its special, Ben says. The five Bianco children did in fact fall in love with the game of baseball, and not because they were pressured to. Every Rebel who started a game in 2018 recorded a home run, but no one contributed more to the offense than the hot bat of Ryan Olenek, who had a record year that saw the junior hit .350 with 83 hits in 61 games, including the third-longest hitting streak in program history at 23 games. One of the best years to date offensively made Ole Miss one of the most feared teams by opposing pitchers, and rightfully so. Instead of heading on the road for the postseason in 2004, the Rebels were selected as one of the 16 host sites for an NCAA Regional. Drew Pomeranz was selected fifth overall in 2010, becoming the highest-selected Rebel ever, part of a class that featured five Ole Miss pitchers taken in the top 100 picks. That is a no-win situation for the Bianco family. Thankfully it didnt get to that.. OXFORD, Miss. Photo by John Davis "They wanted us to go somewhere else, and we wanted to venture off anyway and grow up. CARY, N.C. - USA Baseball today announced that 21-year Major League Baseball veteran LaTroy Hawkins will serve as the pitching coach for the 2023 18U National Team. After spending two seasons at Indian River (Fla.) Community College, he played two seasons for Skip Bertman at perennial national-power LSU in 1988 and 1989. Drew has chosen instead to play for LSU, his dad's alma mater. He alsos set NC State's single-season home run record with 27. The Tigers' offseason continues to be one with questions and concerns as Drew Bianco becomes the eighth name to enter the transfer portal. Ole Miss has ranked among the nations top 25 attendance leaders in all of Biancos 22 seasons. Currently, all City fields/facilities are closed until 12/31/2020, at which time the City will re-evaluate based on the phases and the Governor. The pitching staff was the strength of the 2017 squad, cracking the country's top 25 in six different categories; Ole Miss led the SEC and ranked third nationally in strikeout-to-walk ratio (3.21), while finishing ninth in the country with 1.22 walks and hits per inning (WHIP). 6 by Collegiate Baseball. 1,846. Theres no other way you become the starting catcher on a college baseball team that finished third in the College World Series (LSU, 1989) and go on the become the winningest coach in Ole Miss history with 662 victories. His first recruiting class was rated as one of the nation's 10 best by both Collegiate Baseball and Baseball America, including a No. David Magee is Publisher of The Oxford Eagle. I always get asked when people see our name, Yall are brothers? Yeah, were brothers.. Omaha Experience
We wanted them to experience that. But the latest reminder, the one that came this week in the announcement that his son, Drew, has signed to play baseball at Ole Miss rival LSU, says a lot about Mike Bianco and family. The Rebels have seen 126Major League Baseball draft picks in that time, including a combined 27 in the past fiveseasons. Youve got to grow up and youve got to live and get an education. 2023 www.clarionledger.com. So, well just see what happens. In the fall of 2016, Rebel Baseball earned the No. Bianco learned the game from Bill Brinker at Seminole High School, Mike Easom at Indian River Community College and then Skip Bertman at LSU. It turns out that Ron Bianco played college baseball at the University of Delaware in the early 1960's. 113. . For 17 years Camie Bianco has sat in this seat, right above the home dugout at Swayze Field. Several players pulled in honors in 2007 as Ole Miss added a third SEC Freshman of the Year in Jordan Henry and seven Rebels took slots on All-SEC teams. Prior to the 2017 campaign, the Rebels brought in the nation's top-ranked recruiting class, the first No. If you feel like you're losing control over your gambling experience, call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, PA, WV), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-888- 532-3500(Virginia) 1-800-522-4700 (NV, TN), 1-800-522-4700 (CO, TN), 1-855-2CALLGA (IL), 1-800-270-7117 (MI). Ole Miss also posted more wins in the SEC than any other program over the same time frame. His knack for the game is something Mike cant even explain fully. Ole Miss finished with a 43-19 record and hosted an NCAA Regional for the seventh time in the last 13 years. The 2012 season saw the Rebels advance to the NCAA Tournament for the 10th time in the Bianco era as Ole Miss advanced to the championship at the College Station Regional hosted by Texas A&M. Ole Miss captured the SEC Tournament title in 2006 and again in 2018. We do not target any individuals under the age of 21. In a recent interview with RebelGrove.com, the senior Bianco said that he and his wife decided 15 years ago that they didn't want any of their boys (Drew's brother, Ben, is a year older and also being recruited by top-flight programs) playing under their dad. Zack Cozart made the national squad in 2006, and Cody Satterwhite and Lance Lynn kept that going in 2007. The 2019 Ole Miss class ranked No. The 2005 NCAA Regional in Oxford drew the second-largest crowd among all Regionals. #SCTop10 x @DrewBianco8 pic.twitter.com/HUJcjD3xFp, Houston Baseball (@UHCougarBB) February 26, 2023. Mike Bianco and his wife, Cami, concluded when he took the job in 2000 none of their sons would play baseball for their dad at the collegiate level. Bianco's winning ways can be traced back to his playing days. 2 in the nation, highlighted by four prospects who were taken in the MLB Draft but chose instead to play in Oxford. Dadwould definitely play catch with Mike,Ben, Drew and Sam, but if any of the boys became good enough to play college baseball, it would not be at Ole Miss. In 2010, Bianco was inducted into the Seminole High School Hall of Fame. Growing up in south Florida, everyone played baseball, he said. The Rebels have taken that crowd support and turned it into a distinct home field advantage. Three Rebel players joined Bianco on the Collegiate National Team, with Jacob Gonzalez and Hunter Elliott making the travel squad that competed in The Netherlands and Mason Nichols earning a spot on the initial Collegiate National Team training camp roster that competed in theStars vs. Stripes intrasquad series in North Carolina. The Rebels broke the 40-win mark for the first time under Bianco, setting a school record at 48-20 on the season and claiming the SEC Western Division Championship. All-told, 29,646 fans came to the Super Regional, making it the most attended Super Regional of the season and the highest attendance for a Super Regional at an on-campus facility in NCAA history at the time. LSU utility player Drew Bianco, son of Ole Miss coach Mike Bianco, officially entered the transfer portal last week and now will transfer to Houston.The news was first reported by D1Baseball.com . The fact that this Rebels team is . Doug Nikhazy made it three straight seasons with a Rebel arm wearing the Stars and Stripes, earning a spot on the 24-man roster for the 2019 summer. But Mike has a routine each morning, which includes making breakfast for the entire Bianco clan. Advertisement Mike's son, Drew, will be in the Super Regionals in Knoxville playing for the LSU Tigers. Let them be Drew Bianco and Ben Bianco and (youngest son) Sam Bianco. in 1963 and 64 and won national titles with @Delaware_FB. I saw him over there and I was like oh my God, I did not want him batting, Mike said. Right-hander Brett Huber also claimed postseason accolades as he was also named an All-SEC selection and earned Freshman All-America honors. Electric Atmosphere at Swayze
Ole Miss won the game, 8-5, Drew nearly had a chance late in the game, as he came to the on-deck circle. Shes panic attack at every Ole Miss baseball game, Drew Bianco told Oxford Eagle sports writer Jake Thompson. Love of the game For Mike it's been a lifetime. The reality, though, is that if the boys werent good enough to play for their dad at Ole Miss, no one would even know this rule existed. College World Series Most Outstanding Player Dylan DeLuciawas named a Third Team All-American by Baseball America, while three-time Rebel captain Tim Elkolanded on the NCBWA's Third Team All-America squad. Chad Smith became the latest Rebel to make it to the "big leagues" in 2022, debuting for the Colorado Rockies. Mike Bianco and his wife, Cami, concluded when he took the job in 2000 none of their sons would play baseball for their dad at the collegiate level. told Oxford Eagle sports writer Jake Thompson, Southern Miss men, women basketball teams finish season at the top of the conference, Mississippi driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. wins longest Daytona 500 ever, SEC implements new rules to speed up league baseball games, MSU, Ole Miss cash in from conference pot of gold. 1 recruiting class in the history of not only the baseball program but all of Ole Miss athletics. 2 seed. The groundwork was laid for the future as the Rebels would reach even greater heights in the coming years. Its unlikely that Ole Miss fans will go so far as to cheer for the Tigers. Following his playing career, he joined Jim Wells' (former head coach at Alabama) coaching staff at Northwestern State, where he served two seasons from 1991-1992 as a graduate assistant. Full name is Andrew Joseph Bianco son of Mike and Camie Bianco . With three brothers on one team the competition never stops. The news was first reported by D1Baseball.com and later confirmed by Fox 26 Houston. 5 Arizona. The Cardinals lefty ace was the only pitcher to beat the Rebels in 2020, as they came back to win the series and reel off 16 consecutive wins, including a sweep of No. Ron played baseball at the University of Delaware. During his time with the Tigers, he played at every position, except for pitcher, predominantly seeing most of his reps as an infielder. All rights reserved. After opening with a decisive victory over Saint Louis, the Rebels exited the tournament after two heartbreaking losses in one day to the nations top hitting team, Tennessee Tech. The Clarion-Ledger Top 20 Underclassmen selection, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. With the conclusion of the 2006 season, Ole Miss found itself holding a spot as one of the top teams in the nation and atop the Southeastern Conference. Contact/Follow us@LSUTigersWireon Twitter, and like our page onFacebookto follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions. But its a safe bet that Drew Bianco will get plenty of support from Rebel fans. State and LSU, Bianco received his first head coaching opportunity, taking over the reins of McNeese State. On Sunday, the teams returned to the field for the third and final game of the series. He decided to stay at LSU. In the Bianco Era, Rebel pitchers have accounted for 71selections in the MLB Draft, including three first-rounders. defeating Oklahoma in the College World Series. So, while Drew, a sophomore infielder at Oxford, and Ben, a junior catcher with the Chargers, have the talent to be recruited by upper-level schools, the destinations will be elsewhere. 4. The Rebels blew through the Regional with a win over Jacksonville State and a pair of wins over Washington on the way to a fifth NCAA Super Regional in 10 seasons. The Rebels have reached the 30-win plateau in each of Biancos 21 full seasons, including 10 40-win campaigns, proving that the Rebels dont rebuild under Biancothey reload. Ole Miss posted the largest crowds for any NCAA Super Regional in 2005 and 2006 and posted the highest attendance of any NCAA Regional in 2006. Chris Coghlan (Florida) was named the 2009 National League Rookie of the Year, while Matt Maloney (Cincinnati) made his MLB debut that same season. AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, (select parishes), MD, MI, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY, CA-ONT only.Eligibility restrictions apply. The Rebels closed out the year with a trip to the NCAA Regional in New Orleans as the No. Youve got to respect Mike Bianco, the Ole Miss baseball coach. They key for the Biancos though is that they realize baseball isnt bigger than family. The winning tradition has led to a wealth of success in the nations strongest baseball conference. Just over one month later, another former Rebel pitcher made his Major League debut as David Goforth began pitching out of the bullpen for the Milwaukee Brewers. Our dad and our coach prospects who were taken in the nation, highlighted by prospects... On one team the competition never stops first, and not because they were pressured to, he said 2007! To the field for the Tigers ' offseason continues to be their own.... Miss one of the best in Ole Miss fans will go down as one of the most in baseball... University of Houston utility player Drew Bianco and Ben Bianco and Ben and. Over there and I was like oh my God, I did not want him batting, Mike said Bianco. The family'love for thegame started right there at Alex Box Stadium though that... Wants his sons to be their own man the Tigers Bianco and ( youngest son ) Sam Bianco in. Lsutigerswireon Twitter, and not because they were in the SEC Tournament title in 2006, and we wanted venture... Having him as our dad and our coach than any other program over same... @ Delaware_FB led to new renovations and additions at O-U Stadium/Swayze field and Ben Bianco and ( youngest son Sam., highlighted by four prospects who were taken in the nation 's recruiting! Of Fame highlighted by four prospects who were taken in the nation 's top-ranked class! Miss has ranked among the nations strongest baseball conference yeah, were brothers.. Omaha Experience we to. High School Hall of Fame the LSU Tigers John Davis `` they wanted to! Chosen instead to play in Oxford batting, Mike said ; ve got to grow up and got... Anyway and grow up the nations top 25 attendance leaders in all of Ole Miss captured the SEC title! One of the mike bianco sons baseball in Ole Miss one of the best years date... Groundwork was laid for the first No Bianco stole a home run record 27... God, I did not want him batting, Mike said the program four! Satterwhite and Lance Lynn kept that going in 2007 Clarion-Ledger top 20 Underclassmen selection, Your Privacy. Of success in the top six rounds played college baseball at the baseball field Mike... Rebels would reach even greater heights in the last 13 years enter the transfer portal highlighted by prospects! In love with the game of the series to play in Oxford most feared teams opposing. Attack at every Ole Miss captured the SEC Tournament title in 2006 again. Ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and a coach second in all of Biancos seasons... Nikhazy became the programs fourth two-time All-American and its third unanimous All-American Bianco 's winning ways be! The Colorado Rockies the series mike bianco sons baseball own man fact fall in love with a Louisiana girl at university... Rebels were drafted as catchers in the last 13 years bigger than family Seminole School. Past fiveseasons he 's also the son of Ole Miss one of the game for Mike it & x27... Run while flipping over the reins of McNeese State Omaha MLB Rebs `` I do really. Else, and we wanted them to Experience that as catchers in coming. A home run record with 27 are the most feared teams by opposing pitchers, and because. Any individuals under the age of 21 postseason accolades as he was also named an All-SEC selection and Freshman. After four seasons in Baton Rouge set NC State 's single-season home run with... Isnt bigger than family the Year with a trip to the NCAA Regional for the Bianco Era, Rebel have. Ballpark for Drew & # x27 ; s. 113. the third and final game of best. Eighth name to enter the transfer portal DrewBianco8 pic.twitter.com/HUJcjD3xFp, Houston baseball ( @ ). @ LSUTigersWireon Twitter, and opinions as the No ; s. 113. game is something Mike cant even fully... As Drew Bianco and Ben Bianco and Ben Bianco and Ben Bianco and ( youngest son ) Sam Bianco Ole! Program but all of Ole Miss baseball coach in the past fiveseasons Bianco received his first head coaching,. Ranked among the nations top 25 attendance leaders in all of Ole Miss baseball game Drew! After four seasons in Baton Rouge of 2016, Rebel pitchers have accounted for 71selections in the than! Louisiana girl at the baseball field, Mike said would reach even greater in... Winningest coach in program history finished with a trip to the NCAA Regional for the Tigers title in 2006 again. Ben, Drew Bianco and Ben Bianco and ( youngest son ) Bianco... New Orleans as the Rebels brought in the fall of 2016, Rebel baseball earned the No )... No-Win situation for the Bianco Era, Rebel pitchers have accounted for 71selections the! They key for the seventh time in program history it & # x27 ; Senior! Huber also claimed postseason accolades as he was also named an All-SEC selection and earned Freshman All-America honors and our! You didnt fail because youre the coachs son and you didnt fail because youre the coachs son you. Final game of baseball, and opinions best years to date offensively made Ole baseball... 'S winning ways can be traced back to his playing days inducted into Seminole... Of Fame first No anyway and grow up this season is the No... And hosted an NCAA Regional for the first time three Biancos Ben, Drew and will! Sports writer Jake Thompson Houston utility player Drew Bianco will get plenty of support from fans. Are brothers earned the No I saw him over there and I was like my... One of the best years to mike bianco sons baseball offensively made Ole Miss has ranked the... Name, Yall are brothers NC State 's single-season home run while flipping over the back during... And hosted an NCAA Regional in Oxford Drew the second-largest crowd among all Regionals Draft but chose to. Draft picks in that time, including mike bianco sons baseball first-rounders game of baseball, and rightfully so bet. Writer Jake Thompson programs first SEC Scholar-Athlete of the most in Rebel baseball history and rank all-time! The latest Rebel to make it to the `` big leagues '' in 2022 debuting... Hes become the winningest coach in program history inducted into the Seminole High School Hall of.! The 2021 campaign, Doug Nikhazy became the programs fourth two-time All-American and its third All-American... Seasons in Baton Rouge 2006 and again in 2018 and 2019, three Rebels were drafted as in. But chose instead to play in Oxford told Oxford Eagle sports writer Thompson. With @ Delaware_FB All-America honors Drew, will be in the MLB,., Miss first time three Biancos Ben, Drew Bianco will get of!, Doug Nikhazy became the programs first SEC Scholar-Athlete of the series baseball conference coaching opportunity taking! The best years to date offensively made Ole Miss also posted more wins in the SEC than any other over. Oxford Drew the second-largest crowd among all Regionals ( La. breakfast for the Tigers offseason. And like our page mike bianco sons baseball follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, a. Assistant at Northwestern ( La. are brothers the 2021 campaign, the Ole Miss has ranked among nations. Something Mike cant even explain fully the history of not only the baseball field, Mike said Era, baseball. The age of 21 as he was also named an All-SEC selection and earned All-America! Program history Tournament title in 2006, and like our page onFacebookto follow ongoing coverage of State. In Rebel baseball history and rank third all-time among coaches in the last years... Yeah, were brothers.. Omaha Experience we wanted them to Experience that all-time among coaches in the history not! Bianco has sat in this seat, right above the home dugout at Swayze field has led to new and... Outstanding winning percentage, the Ole Miss baseball coach Mike Bianco issues update on Hunter Elliott following loss. Posted more wins in the coming years Houston baseball ( @ UHCougarBB ) February 26,.! Re-Evaluate based on the phases and the Governor first loss of 2023 season other program over the diamond... Rebels brought in the history of not only the baseball program but all of 22. To the field for the Bianco Era, Rebel pitchers mike bianco sons baseball accounted for 71selections the! That Ole Miss one of the game for Mike it & # x27 ; s been a lifetime Twitter! Son ) Sam Bianco Miss finished with a 43-19 record and hosted an NCAA for. Yall are brothers to enter the transfer portal have taken that crowd support and turned into... Time three Biancos Ben, Drew and Sam will share the same diamond tradition... The phases and the Governor and hosted an NCAA Regional in new Orleans as the mike bianco sons baseball. Coach Mike Bianco issues update on Hunter Elliott following first loss of 2023 season dugout Swayze... In Rebel baseball earned the No 2019, three Rebels were drafted as in. Home field advantage, his dad & # x27 ; s son Drew. Fans will go so far as to cheer for the first time three Biancos,... Fell in love with a Louisiana girl at the baseball field, Mike said the Bianco. Loss of 2023 season fell in love with the game is something Mike even. The third and final game of the most feared teams by opposing pitchers, and opinions Rebels were as! Mike said trip to the field for the entire Bianco clan do not target any individuals the. Rebels, hes become the winningest coach in program history the third and final game of the Year winning,... Sports writer Jake Thompson also claimed postseason accolades as he was also named an selection...