Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Meyers announces Blue Raider Baseball staff additions
9/3/2026 3:00:00 PM | Baseball
MURFREESBORO, Tenn.- Middle Tennessee baseball has added two new assistant coaches to its staff in Gabe Jennings and Pat Bell, head coach Jerry Meyers announced Thursday.
"Jennings and Bell are tremendous additions to our staff in many facets of the game," Meyers said.
Jennings, a former Blue Raider, makes his return to Murfreesboro after spending a season as the hitting coach at Volunteer State Community College.
"I'm happy to be back," Jennings said. "I was here as a player, and the fans and community, they treat the guys on the team right. And I'm super excited to be a part of this team with these guys."
During his time working with the hitters at Vol State, Jennings led a power resurgence. The Pioneers totaled 76 home runs, its highest total in over a decade. On top of that, Jennings oversaw four everyday players with an OPS of 1.000 or higher, and six everyday bats that hit for a .290 average or better.
"Gabe was an outstanding player and student as a Blue Raider," Meyers said. "He's a great communicator and we expect him to add a lot to this program on our staff."
Jennings had a stellar senior season in 2024 under Meyers, leading the team in seven significant offensive statistics, including a .347 batting average and a .410 on base percentage. Overall, Jennings had a .273 career average to pair with starting in all 56 games in both his junior and senior seasons.
Joining the staff alongside Jennings will be assistant coach Pat Bell. An Air Force veteran with 10 years of service, Bell comes to the program with over nine years of experience in college baseball.
"Coach Bell has several years of college coaching experience, and winning has followed him between his stops at Cumberland and IU Southeast," Meyers said. "He has a tremendous work ethic and is very well rounded in his coaching expertise."
Bell played collegiately at Tennessee Wesleyan for two years, prior to joining the service.
Following his retirement from the military, Bell joined the coaching staff at Indiana University-Southeast. In three years there he worked with hitters and catchers, including a trip to the NAIA World Series in 2021.
Bell made an appearance at the NAIA World Series with IU-Southeast before departing for a four-year stint with Cumberland University. During his time with CU, Bell worked with hitters, catchers and led the team's effort on the bases.
Across his career, Bell has coached three All-Americans and 18 All-Conference hitters through his two previous stops. In three of his four seasons at CU, Bell oversaw a jump in production where the Phoenix were top-15 in the country in home runs.
"I'm excited to be here and excited to jump in and get started with this group," Bell said. "I'm happy to be a part of this winning program and this winning tradition, and look to contribute to it."
Follow the Blue Raiders: Stay up to date with the Blue Raiders on X (@MT_Baseball), Facebook (Blue Raider Baseball) and Instagram (@MT_Baseball).
"Jennings and Bell are tremendous additions to our staff in many facets of the game," Meyers said.
Jennings, a former Blue Raider, makes his return to Murfreesboro after spending a season as the hitting coach at Volunteer State Community College.
"I'm happy to be back," Jennings said. "I was here as a player, and the fans and community, they treat the guys on the team right. And I'm super excited to be a part of this team with these guys."
During his time working with the hitters at Vol State, Jennings led a power resurgence. The Pioneers totaled 76 home runs, its highest total in over a decade. On top of that, Jennings oversaw four everyday players with an OPS of 1.000 or higher, and six everyday bats that hit for a .290 average or better.
"Gabe was an outstanding player and student as a Blue Raider," Meyers said. "He's a great communicator and we expect him to add a lot to this program on our staff."
Jennings had a stellar senior season in 2024 under Meyers, leading the team in seven significant offensive statistics, including a .347 batting average and a .410 on base percentage. Overall, Jennings had a .273 career average to pair with starting in all 56 games in both his junior and senior seasons.
Joining the staff alongside Jennings will be assistant coach Pat Bell. An Air Force veteran with 10 years of service, Bell comes to the program with over nine years of experience in college baseball.
"Coach Bell has several years of college coaching experience, and winning has followed him between his stops at Cumberland and IU Southeast," Meyers said. "He has a tremendous work ethic and is very well rounded in his coaching expertise."
Bell played collegiately at Tennessee Wesleyan for two years, prior to joining the service.
Following his retirement from the military, Bell joined the coaching staff at Indiana University-Southeast. In three years there he worked with hitters and catchers, including a trip to the NAIA World Series in 2021.
Bell made an appearance at the NAIA World Series with IU-Southeast before departing for a four-year stint with Cumberland University. During his time with CU, Bell worked with hitters, catchers and led the team's effort on the bases.
Across his career, Bell has coached three All-Americans and 18 All-Conference hitters through his two previous stops. In three of his four seasons at CU, Bell oversaw a jump in production where the Phoenix were top-15 in the country in home runs.
"I'm excited to be here and excited to jump in and get started with this group," Bell said. "I'm happy to be a part of this winning program and this winning tradition, and look to contribute to it."
Follow the Blue Raiders: Stay up to date with the Blue Raiders on X (@MT_Baseball), Facebook (Blue Raider Baseball) and Instagram (@MT_Baseball).
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