Austin Hill was introduced to the Winthrop coaching staff in August of 2017 as a volunteer assistant. Following the 2017 season, Hill stepped into the role of pitching coach.
In his first full-time season as pitching coach, Hill worked with three All-Big South players including two MLB draft picks in Zach Peek (sixth round - LA Angels) and Nate Pawelczyk (tenth round - Chicago White Sox). Behind the consistency of Peek and Pawelczyk, the Eagles won 34 games and finished as runners-up in the Big South Conference tournament.
In the shortened COVID season of 2020, the Eagles led the Big South Conference with a 2.79 ERA and a K/BB ratio of 3.2. Hill’s pitching staffs in 2019-2021 were anchored by two-time NCBWA Stopper of the Year candidate Colten Rendon, who is a record holder for the Eagles.
In 2023, the Eagles staff emerged as one of the best in the conference. Winthrop pitchers struck out 494 batters setting the highest mark since 2005 and ranking in the top 3 in K/BB ratio in the conference. All-Conference senior right-hander Josh Bookbinder achieved individual accolades as the NCAA Division 1 leader in both K/BB ratio and walks allowed per nine innings.
In addition to Bookbinder’s accolades, junior RHP Brody Hopkins claimed 1st Team All-Conference recognition while posting a .207 opponent batting average. With his success, Hopkins became a 6th round MLB selection to the Seattle Mariners marking the 3rd Winthrop pitcher to be selected in the Top 10 rounds from the beginning of Hill’s tenure.
Prior to Winthrop, Hill worked one season as assistant coach under Steve Williams at USC Lancaster for the 2017 season. The Lancers compiled a 41-17 mark and were the regular season NJCAA Region 10 champions.
Collegiately, Hill played at UNC Pembroke and graduated with a bachelor's degree in exercise and sport science in 2016.
He is a native of Columbia, South Carolina.
