Auburn Baseball Hires Nick Ammirati as New Hitting Coach After Gabe Gross Transition

Auburn baseball didn’t waste any time replacing longtime hitting coach Gabe Gross.

On Tuesday, Butch Thompson announced the hiring of Nick Ammirati as the program’s new assistant coach and hitting coordinator, bringing one of college baseball’s fastest-rising offensive minds to the Plains.

“This is an incredible opportunity to join a program with arguably more young talent than anyone in the country and help build on the momentum it has created the last several years,” Ammirati said. “Butch has been a mentor of mine both up close and from afar for 15 years now, and I’m ecstatic to rekindle that relationship and get to work with one of the best coaches and men in our industry.”

It’s easy to see why Thompson targeted Ammirati.

The former Mississippi State catcher played for Thompson during the Bulldogs’ run to the 2013 College World Series Finals before beginning a coaching career that has quickly turned heads across the SEC. After stops at NJIT, Northwestern State, Hinds Community College and Southern Miss, Ammirati spent three seasons at Kentucky before the last two at Georgia.

The results speak for themselves.

Over the last three seasons, Ammirati has helped lead two different programs to the College World Series while being part of three SEC championships between Kentucky and Georgia. This past season, the Bulldogs were seen as one of the best offenses in the country, something that haunted the Tigers during their Super Regionals departure.

At Georgia, the Bulldogs rewrote the record book while he was on staff. They led the nation in home runs in both 2025 and 2026, launching 179 homers this past season while reaching the College World Series for the first time since 2008. He also helped develop catcher Daniel Jackson into one of the most decorated players in college baseball, as Jackson became just the first catcher in Division I history to record at least 30 home runs and 25 stolen bases in the same season.

“Nick’s track record of success and current SEC experience makes him the best fit in the country,” Thompson said. “For me personally, I’m excited to reunite with a former student-athlete, and I believe our players and program are going to be very excited to have Ammo join the Auburn Family.”

The timing couldn't be better.

Auburn enters 2027 with one of the nation's most talented young rosters after back-to-back elite recruiting classes. With players like Ethin Bingaman, Mason McCraine, Bub Terrell and Chase Fralick returning, expectations are already soaring.

An absolute home run hire by Butch Thompson and Auburn.