Want to be a part of a vibrant and growing community of baseball fans? Consider joining the D2 Baseball Patreon! patreon.com/diviibaseball

In this episode of the 2025 Coaching Changes Series, J.D. Hulse talks about his quick transition from assistant to head coach at Valdosta State, a move he made after working with former head coach Jan Weisberg for years, first as a player, then as a coach at Birmingham-Southern and then at Valdosta State. Hulse discusses his journey and the difficult experience of coaching Birmingham-Southern during their school's final months, a perspective he plans to use to teach his players to be grateful for what they have.

Hulse is excited to take on the challenge of leading a program with a championship tradition and high expectations. He highlights the benefits of playing in the highly competitive Gulf South and South regions, where every game is a chance to build a strong resume for a potential tournament bid.

Hulse then explains his priorities for the team, including his offensive philosophy which is centered on hitting for doubles and implementing a more aggressive base running style. He also touches on the importance of having a coaching staff that is passionate, knowledgeable, and organized. Above all, Hulse wants his team to be "gritty" and "tough" and to play with a championship-level mindset, on and off the field.

Don't miss this episode with Valdosta State Head Coach J.D. Hulse!