In March 2023, Mariano Jimenez Jr. was named New College’s first ever athletic director and head baseball coach. He immediately went to work recruiting top student-athletes from across the country and developing an “uncommon” culture that reverberates throughout the athletic department. Mariano has been instrumental in the recruitment of 152 student-athletes in six sports in New College's inaugural year of athletics.
Since then, the school has expanded to 18 sports with the additions of golf, lacrosse, volleyball, e-sports, swimming, cross country and tennis.
Mariano played a major role in New College’s bid to be accepted into the NAIA Sun Conference and was praised for his leadership by St. Thomas University President Dr. David Armstrong. “New College leadership impressed all of us with their knowledge of the NAIA and Sun Conference. Their preparation for the Sun Conference visit and their vision to have a first-rate athletic program at one of the most prominent academic colleges in the country, was very impressive.”
Prior to his time at New College, Mariano was a Major League hitting consultant and baseball agent to some of the top players across Major League Baseball including several 1
st round picks, a National League Rookie of the Year and a World Baseball Classic MVP.
World Series champion Chris Coghlan had this to say about his time with Mariano, “I played 13 years of professional baseball, he’s the best hitting coach I had. I would trust my son under his development.”
Mariano spent significant time helping in roles ranging from athletic director to head coach at prestigious prep schools like Inspiration Academy and IMG Academy.
He also had a stint with Team USA Baseball as a coach with their National Team Identification Series.
Mariano graduated from Palm Beach Atlantic University with a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership and a Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Management. He also was an assistant baseball coach at his Alma mater for two seasons.
Mariano believes that if we build a healthy environment where student-athletes and coaches all share an uncommon mindset, the results will take care of themselves. “At New College, we’re going to execute on a mission to be ‘uncommon in any situation.’ That means we're going to commit to the process of becoming great. If we do, the scoreboard will take care of itself.”
Coach Jimenez first season as the head coach for New College Baseball was a resounding success. Coach Jimenez led the Banyans to 20 wins in the teams first season. The Banyans captured big wins over Oklahoma Wesleyan, Florida Memorial, and No. 5 Webber International University in the teams final game of the regular season.
| Year |
School |
Overall Record |
Win Pct. |
Conference Record |
|
|
|
|
|
| 2023 |
New College |
20-26 |
.435 |
0-0 |
1
seasons |
|
20-26 |
.435 |
|
