NEW ORLEANS – Along with staff additions, LSU New Orleans Head Baseball Coach Andrew Gipson has promoted Connor Manola and Spence Drake to Assistant Head Coach ahead of the 2027 season.
 
Both Manola and Drake joined the squad ahead of the 2026 season. Manola handled the pitching duties while Drake worked with the hitters and infielders in their respective first seasons on the Lakefront.
 
"I'm proud to promote both of these guys," said Gipson. "They've earned it the right way. They're loyal, consistent, and thoughtful in their work.  Their work ethic, attention to detail, and relationships with both our current players and recruits set them apart. I know both of them will do a great job with this expanded role. They are both rising stars in this profession."
 
Manola worked with a pitching staff that was second in the league in percentage of runners caught stealing (31.4) and third in total runners thrown out (22) in the Southland Conference in 2026. The pitching staff also had three shutouts as a unit last season, which ranked third in the conference.
 
Drake worked with the infielders and helped lead a group that led the nation in double plays at the end of the regular season with 60. After the postseason, the Privateers finished fourth in that category. The total of double plays turned was the second most in a single season in program history.
 
Along with added administrative responsibilities, Drake will coordinate all offensive development and game planning. Manola will have the same duties for the pitching staff and defense.
 
ABOUT LSU NEW ORLEANS
In July of 2026 the University of New Orleans rejoined the LSU system and rebranded to "LSU New Orleans" bringing together two powerful brands - the purple and gold of LSU with the unbreakable spirit of New Orleans. The transition marks a return to the LSU family for the University - a place it called home from 1958-2011. Athletic teams will remain the Privateers and continue to compete in the Southland Conference.
 
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