Rich Witten has been appointed as the general manager and director of baseball operations for Virginia Tech's baseball program, as announced by head coach John Szefc. Witten joins the Hokies after a successful tenure at Florida International, where he significantly improved the team's performance, achieving a record of 31 wins in 2025. His previous coaching experience at VCU and Miami further strengthens his qualification for the position. Szefc expressed confidence that Witten will enhance the program鈥檚 quality and competitiveness.

By the Numbers
  • Florida International achieved 31 wins in 2025, their highest total since 2017.
  • Witten's three-year tenure saw the Panthers improve their NCAA Division I Baseball RPI ranking by over 100 positions.
  • Under Witten, the team qualified for back-to-back Conference USA Championships in 2024 and 2025.
State of Play
  • Witten arrives at Virginia Tech after recent success at Florida International, where he revitalized the program.
  • His focus will be on enhancing both athletic performance and academic achievement of the players.
What's Next

As Witten settles into his new role, he is expected to implement strategies that build on his previous successes, aiming for a competitive Virginia Tech baseball team. Immediate goals include improving team performance and recruiting top talent.

Bottom Line

The hiring of Rich Witten signals a significant step forward for Virginia Tech's baseball program, potentially accelerating its return to prominence within the ACC. His leadership and experience are expected to foster both athletic and academic excellence among the players.