The FIU baseball program is officially moving in a new direction after the university announced Friday that head coach Rich Witten has concluded his four-year tenure with the Panthers. The announcement comes after FIU wrapped up a difficult 1935 season in 2026, ending a stretch that showed signs of steady progress under Witten’s leadership. Despite the disappointing final campaign, Witten helped guide the program back into postseason contention and restored competitiveness within Conference USA.

During his time at FIU, Witten compiled 98 career victories while helping develop multiple MLB Draft selections. He also led the Panthers to consecutive Conference USA Tournament appearances in 2024 and 2025 the program’s first postseason berths since 2018. “I’d like to thank Rich for his passion and dedication to FIU over the past four years, ” Carr said. “The program today is in a better position than it was in 2022, and that’s a testament to Rich, his staff and the student-athletes they recruited and coached. Decisions like these are never easy, and we wish all the best to Rich, his wife, Natalie, and their family.”

The Panthers also showed progress in player development and recruiting during Witten’s tenure, helping FIU regain traction in a competitive Conference USA landscape. However, the momentum stalled during the 2026 campaign as injuries, inconsistency and pitching struggles contributed to the team’s 19-win finish. With the coaching change now official, FIU begins a nationwide search for its next head coach as the university looks to build on the foundation established over the past four seasons.

The next hire will inherit a program that has recently returned to postseason play and remains positioned in one of the nation’s most fertile recruiting regions for college baseball talent. No timetable has been announced for the coaching search.

photo cred(FIU athletics)