Baseball
Ammirati, Nick
Nick Ammirati
- Title:
- Assistant Coach/Hitting
- Email:
- nammirati@sports.uga.edu
Nick Ammirati recently completed his first season as a member of Wes Johnson's coaching staff at the University of Georgia.
Ammirati (am-uh-RAH-tee), also known as “Ammo,” directs the Bulldog offense, works with the outfielders, and helps coordinate transfer portal recruiting.
During the 2025 regular season, Georgia led the nation in home runs as they eventually tallied 144 in 60 games which ranked second in school history. Georgia's 475 RBI ranked third in school history. In 2025, Georgia raced out to another impressive start that featured a 17-game winning streak and ultimately finished 43-17. The Bulldogs were a consensus top 10 ranked team, including reaching as high as No. 1 during the season, and played host to an NCAA Regional for the second straight year. Also, the Bulldogs established a school record for fielding percentage at .983.
Prior to Georgia, Ammirati served as the hitting, infield, and catching coach on Nick Mingione’s staff at Kentucky for three years. In those three years, Ammirati was instrumental in helping Kentucky reach new heights: including winning a regular season SEC Championship, hosting two regionals, two super regionals, and was highlighted by earning the program’s first ever trip to the College World Series in 2024. Prior to Ammirati’s arrival in Lexington in 2022, Kentucky had been playing college baseball since 1896 and had only been to seven regionals and one super regional. Ammirati also brought in three top 10 transfer portal classes in his three years in Lexington.
Prior to heading to Kentucky, Ammirati helped guide Southern Miss to an NCAA Tournament appearance as an assistant coach in 2021 when the Golden Eagles posted a 40-21 mark and reached the Oxford (Miss.) Regional final. USM ranked 17th in home runs, 23rd in doubles and 31st in slugging percentage. Ammirati also helped outfielder Reed Trimble become the 65th overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft, as well earning Perfect Game/Rawlings All-America third-team honors as the all-conference and freshman All-America honoree ranked first nationally in runs batted in and was 24th nationally in home runs.
Before going to USM, Ammirati spent four seasons at Hinds Community College (HCC) as an assistant coach, serving as the program’s recruiting coordinator and the school’s sports information director. In his first three years at Hinds, he was the pitching and catching coach, leading the Eagles to back-to-back regional appearances, including a regional championship and an NJCAA Division II World Series appearance in 2017. The 2017 season saw Hinds’ pitching staff rank sixth nationally with a 3.43 Earned Run Average (ERA), which also ranked as the lowest team ERA in program history. The 2018 and 2019 staffs also ranked high, finishing seventh and 20th in the nation, respectively.
In 2020 at HCC, he took over coaching third base and ran the offense while working primarily with catchers and infielders. The Eagles posted a team batting average of .340 and a .553 slugging percentage. Both marks ranked in the top 10 nationally. More than any other Junior College in the country, a total of 61 players that Ammirati recruited and developed during his four-year tenure at HCC continued their careers at the next level, including 44 NCAA Division I signees – seven of which signed with SEC schools. Additionally, five went on to get selected in the MLB Draft.
Ammirati came to HCC after two years at Northwestern State where he worked with current Louisiana Tech head coach Lane Burroughs. In his two seasons as assistant coach and camp coordinator in Natchitoches, La., NSU claimed a pair of 30-win seasons and had six players taken in the MLB Draft, including three who have since went on to make their MLB Debuts including 2024 MLB All Star David Fry, Nick Heath, and Adam Oller.
Prior to embarking on his coaching career, Ammirati was a standout switch-hitting catcher. His baseball career began at Seton Hall Prep in West Orange, New Jersey, where he was a high school state and national champion as the team’s starting catcher. The 2007 Seton Hall Prep team went 33-1 due in part to Ammirati and battery mate Rick Porcello, who pitched for the Boston Red Sox and was the 2016 American League Cy Young Award winner.
After getting drafted out of high school in the 46th round by the Miami Marlins in 2009, Ammirati opted for college and enrolled at Seton Hall University. As a freshman in 2010, he played 22 games with 18 starts before transferring at the end of the season to Panola College in Texas. After a successful one-year stint in Panola, Ammirati transferred to Mississippi State where he played two seasons.
During his two-year career at MSU, Ammirati won the SEC tournament, hosted and won the Starkville Regional (2013), Charlottesville Super Regional (2013) and most notably was the starting catcher for the 2013 CWS runner-up squad, Ammirati was the battery mate for 12 pitchers that reached the majors.
Ammirati earned his bachelor’s degree in public relations from Mississippi State in 2013 where he was a two-time SEC Academic Honor Roll honoree. He received his master’s in health and human performance from Northwestern State in 2016. He is married to the former Caroline Pound.
Ammirati’s track record is notable both as a player in high school, college, and the professional ranks as well as a coach at the NCAA and NJCAA level. Ammirati is one of the few coaches to reach the NCAA College World Series as both a player (2013) and as a coach (2024).
The Nick Ammirati File
Born: July 31, 1991 (Staten Island, NY)
High School: Seton Hall Prep (NJ)
Education: Mississippi State University (Bachelor’s in Public Relations, 2013) / Northwestern State University (Master’s in Health and Human Performance, 2016)
Collegiate Playing Career
2010: Seton Hall University
2011: Panola College
2012-13: Mississippi State University
Professional Playing Career
2013: St. Paul Saints / Seattle Mariners
2014: Seattle Mariners
Coaching Career/Accolades
2025: University of Georgia – Hitting/Outfield Coach
2021: University of Southern Mississippi, Volunteer Hitting & Catching Coach / Camp Coordinator
2017-2020: Hinds Community College, Recruiting Coordinator/Pitching Coach/Hitting Coach/ Sports Information Director
2015-16: Northwester State University, Volunteer Hitting & Catching Coach / Camp Coordinator
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT NICK AMMIRATI …
Auburn Director of Athletics, Former UK and MSU Head Baseball Coach John Cohen: “Nick Ammirati is one of the elite young coaches in college baseball. His knowledge of the swing, creativity, along with his passion and work ethic make him the perfect fit.”
Louisiana Tech Head Coach Lane Burroughs: “Ammo is one of the brightest young baseball minds in the game. He is an absolute baseball junkie. I’ve seen Nick grow as a recruit to a player and ultimately to a colleague. He is one of the young hungry lions in college baseball. His knowledge of catching is off the charts.”
MLB All-Star Second Baseman Adam Frazier: “Ammo is one the best baseball minds I have been around. He has an incredible passion for learning and teaching, and he is constantly studying the game in order to help players grow and evolve to reach their highest potential. Without a doubt, he will have a tremendous impact, both on and off the field.”
Milwaukee Brewers Cy Young Candidate Pitcher Brandon Woodruff: “Ammo was one of my former catchers in college and helped lead us to a CWS national championship appearance. He is someone who makes everyone around him better. His wealth of knowledge of both the offensive and pitching side of the game will be an extremely valuable asset.”
Ammirati (am-uh-RAH-tee), also known as “Ammo,” directs the Bulldog offense, works with the outfielders, and helps coordinate transfer portal recruiting.
During the 2025 regular season, Georgia led the nation in home runs as they eventually tallied 144 in 60 games which ranked second in school history. Georgia's 475 RBI ranked third in school history. In 2025, Georgia raced out to another impressive start that featured a 17-game winning streak and ultimately finished 43-17. The Bulldogs were a consensus top 10 ranked team, including reaching as high as No. 1 during the season, and played host to an NCAA Regional for the second straight year. Also, the Bulldogs established a school record for fielding percentage at .983.
Prior to Georgia, Ammirati served as the hitting, infield, and catching coach on Nick Mingione’s staff at Kentucky for three years. In those three years, Ammirati was instrumental in helping Kentucky reach new heights: including winning a regular season SEC Championship, hosting two regionals, two super regionals, and was highlighted by earning the program’s first ever trip to the College World Series in 2024. Prior to Ammirati’s arrival in Lexington in 2022, Kentucky had been playing college baseball since 1896 and had only been to seven regionals and one super regional. Ammirati also brought in three top 10 transfer portal classes in his three years in Lexington.
Prior to heading to Kentucky, Ammirati helped guide Southern Miss to an NCAA Tournament appearance as an assistant coach in 2021 when the Golden Eagles posted a 40-21 mark and reached the Oxford (Miss.) Regional final. USM ranked 17th in home runs, 23rd in doubles and 31st in slugging percentage. Ammirati also helped outfielder Reed Trimble become the 65th overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft, as well earning Perfect Game/Rawlings All-America third-team honors as the all-conference and freshman All-America honoree ranked first nationally in runs batted in and was 24th nationally in home runs.
Before going to USM, Ammirati spent four seasons at Hinds Community College (HCC) as an assistant coach, serving as the program’s recruiting coordinator and the school’s sports information director. In his first three years at Hinds, he was the pitching and catching coach, leading the Eagles to back-to-back regional appearances, including a regional championship and an NJCAA Division II World Series appearance in 2017. The 2017 season saw Hinds’ pitching staff rank sixth nationally with a 3.43 Earned Run Average (ERA), which also ranked as the lowest team ERA in program history. The 2018 and 2019 staffs also ranked high, finishing seventh and 20th in the nation, respectively.
In 2020 at HCC, he took over coaching third base and ran the offense while working primarily with catchers and infielders. The Eagles posted a team batting average of .340 and a .553 slugging percentage. Both marks ranked in the top 10 nationally. More than any other Junior College in the country, a total of 61 players that Ammirati recruited and developed during his four-year tenure at HCC continued their careers at the next level, including 44 NCAA Division I signees – seven of which signed with SEC schools. Additionally, five went on to get selected in the MLB Draft.
Ammirati came to HCC after two years at Northwestern State where he worked with current Louisiana Tech head coach Lane Burroughs. In his two seasons as assistant coach and camp coordinator in Natchitoches, La., NSU claimed a pair of 30-win seasons and had six players taken in the MLB Draft, including three who have since went on to make their MLB Debuts including 2024 MLB All Star David Fry, Nick Heath, and Adam Oller.
Prior to embarking on his coaching career, Ammirati was a standout switch-hitting catcher. His baseball career began at Seton Hall Prep in West Orange, New Jersey, where he was a high school state and national champion as the team’s starting catcher. The 2007 Seton Hall Prep team went 33-1 due in part to Ammirati and battery mate Rick Porcello, who pitched for the Boston Red Sox and was the 2016 American League Cy Young Award winner.
After getting drafted out of high school in the 46th round by the Miami Marlins in 2009, Ammirati opted for college and enrolled at Seton Hall University. As a freshman in 2010, he played 22 games with 18 starts before transferring at the end of the season to Panola College in Texas. After a successful one-year stint in Panola, Ammirati transferred to Mississippi State where he played two seasons.
During his two-year career at MSU, Ammirati won the SEC tournament, hosted and won the Starkville Regional (2013), Charlottesville Super Regional (2013) and most notably was the starting catcher for the 2013 CWS runner-up squad, Ammirati was the battery mate for 12 pitchers that reached the majors.
Ammirati earned his bachelor’s degree in public relations from Mississippi State in 2013 where he was a two-time SEC Academic Honor Roll honoree. He received his master’s in health and human performance from Northwestern State in 2016. He is married to the former Caroline Pound.
Ammirati’s track record is notable both as a player in high school, college, and the professional ranks as well as a coach at the NCAA and NJCAA level. Ammirati is one of the few coaches to reach the NCAA College World Series as both a player (2013) and as a coach (2024).
The Nick Ammirati File
Born: July 31, 1991 (Staten Island, NY)
High School: Seton Hall Prep (NJ)
Education: Mississippi State University (Bachelor’s in Public Relations, 2013) / Northwestern State University (Master’s in Health and Human Performance, 2016)
Collegiate Playing Career
2010: Seton Hall University
2011: Panola College
2012-13: Mississippi State University
Professional Playing Career
2013: St. Paul Saints / Seattle Mariners
2014: Seattle Mariners
Coaching Career/Accolades
2025: University of Georgia – Hitting/Outfield Coach
- No. 7 National Seed
- Led the Nation in home runs with 144 in 60 games (2nd most in program history)
- 475 RBI (3rd most in program history)
- School Record for Fielding Percentage .983
- 10 Players Drafted
- 43 Overall Wins
- 18 SEC Conference Wins
- Program best 28-2 record through 30 games
- SEC Batting Champ: Ryland Zaborowski (.370)
- 2025 Georgia’s Overall Offensive Ranks in the SEC:
- Home runs: 1st (144) | Slugging Percentage: 1ST (.564) | Fielding Percentage: 1st (.983) | Stolen Base Percentage: 1st (87%) | On Base Percentage: 2nd (.416) | Hit by Pitch: 2nd (125) | Total Bases: 3rd (1137)| Runs Scored: 4th (509) | Runs batted in: 4th (475) |
- Picked to finished 10th in the SEC Preseason Coaches’ Poll
- SEC Regular Season Champion
- No. 2 National Seed
- Lexington Regional Champion
- Lexington Super Regional Champion
- First Trip to NCAA College World Series in the 128-year history of the program
- School Record for overall wins - 46
- School Record for SEC Conference wins - 22
- School Record for Highest Seed in NCAA tournament - 2 Seed
- Seven Players Drafted including the No. 31 overall pick Ryan Waldschmidt and No. 58 overall pick Emilien Pitre who became the first pair of players in UK history selected in the first 60 overall picks.
- Finished with No. 3 RPI in country.
- The 2024 Kentucky offense, directed by Ammirati, dominated SEC conference play. This is where they ranked in the following offensive categories.
- Batting Average – 1st (.307) | On Base Percentage – 1st (.411)| Runs Scored – 1st (254) | Hits – 1st (308) | Runs Batted in – 1st (237) | Doubles – 1st (67) | Stolen Bases – 1st (55) | Sac Bunts – 1st (20) | Sac Flies – 1st (17) | Least amount of Strikeouts – 2nd (230) | Slugging Percentage – 3rd(.543) | Hit by Pitch – 3rd (51) | Total Bases – 4th (545) | Home runs – 5th (56)
- Picked to finish 11th in the SEC Preseason Coaches’ Poll
- No. 12 National Seed
- Lexington Regional Champion (Second NCAA regional Championship in program history)
- Baton Rouge Super Regional Runner-up
- Finished with No. 4 RPI in the Country
- 40-win season
- 16 SEC Conference wins
- Led Nation in fielding percentage (.984)
- The 2023 Kentucky offense dominated in SEC play. This is where they ranked in the following offensive categories:
- Batting Average: 1st (.282) | Doubles: 1st (54) | Triples: 1st (7) | Stolen Bases: 1st (53) | Sac Bunts: 1st (32) | Hit by Pitch: 2nd (50) | Hits: 4th (272) | Least amount of Strikeouts: 4th (252) | Runs Scored: 5th
- 33-26 overall
- 15 SEC wins
- Third most wins vs. top 25 RPI teams with 12
- Series wins over No. 1 Tennessee & No.6 Auburn
- First team in SEC history to make SEC tournament Semifinals as the #12 seed.
- Six players drafted including current Colorado Rockies short stop Ryan Ritter.
- Landed 6th best transfer portal class following the 2022 season
2021: University of Southern Mississippi, Volunteer Hitting & Catching Coach / Camp Coordinator
- 40 wins
- Oxford Regional Finalist
- 3 players drafted including the 65th overall pick Reed Trimble
- Finished ranked No. 23 in the Nation
- Offensively finished ranked nationally in the following categories: Home runs: 17th | Doubles: 23rd | Slugging percentage: 31st
2017-2020: Hinds Community College, Recruiting Coordinator/Pitching Coach/Hitting Coach/ Sports Information Director
- NJCAA College World Series (2017)
- 3 NJCAA Regionals
- Finished top ten in the NJCAA in ERA all three seasons as Hinds’ pitching coach (2017-2019)
- Finished top ten in the NJCAA in home runs, slugging percentage, and stolen bases as Hinds’ hitting coach (2020)
- 41 NCAA Division 1 Signees and Five players Selected in MLB Draft
2015-16: Northwester State University, Volunteer Hitting & Catching Coach / Camp Coordinator
- Had back-to-back seasons of 30+ wins
- Had back-to-back seasons of 20+ conference wins for the first time in NSU History
- Recruited and developed six players at NSU who were selected in the Major League Baseball Draft, three of which went on to make their MLB Debuts including 2024 MLB All-Star David Fry
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT NICK AMMIRATI …
Auburn Director of Athletics, Former UK and MSU Head Baseball Coach John Cohen: “Nick Ammirati is one of the elite young coaches in college baseball. His knowledge of the swing, creativity, along with his passion and work ethic make him the perfect fit.”
Louisiana Tech Head Coach Lane Burroughs: “Ammo is one of the brightest young baseball minds in the game. He is an absolute baseball junkie. I’ve seen Nick grow as a recruit to a player and ultimately to a colleague. He is one of the young hungry lions in college baseball. His knowledge of catching is off the charts.”
MLB All-Star Second Baseman Adam Frazier: “Ammo is one the best baseball minds I have been around. He has an incredible passion for learning and teaching, and he is constantly studying the game in order to help players grow and evolve to reach their highest potential. Without a doubt, he will have a tremendous impact, both on and off the field.”
Milwaukee Brewers Cy Young Candidate Pitcher Brandon Woodruff: “Ammo was one of my former catchers in college and helped lead us to a CWS national championship appearance. He is someone who makes everyone around him better. His wealth of knowledge of both the offensive and pitching side of the game will be an extremely valuable asset.”
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