Berry to retire effective end of Southern Miss' baseball season

Scott Berry, the longtime head baseball coach at Southern Miss, announced his retirement Tuesday, which is effective at the end of the 2023 season.

Berry, 60, has guided the Golden Eagles for the last 14 seasons and has been a part of the program for 23 years. He joined the staff as an assistant coach under Coach Corky Palmer for the 2001 season. Berry is one of only four coaches to lead the Golden Eagles program since 1959.

Berry, a native of Missouri, surpassed Hill Denson last season as the school's all-time winningest baseball coach and, entering his final regular-season series with Louisiana, compiled a 517-271-1 record over his time with the program.

Berry released the following statement to fans.

"To the Southern Miss Faithful,

I could coach baseball forever; however, life continues to remind me our time is precious. For the past 23 years, it has been my honor to work at The University of Southern Mississippi. The 2023 baseball season will be my final season as Head Baseball Coach. Our program has a solid foundation for this transition in leadership. I am sincerely grateful and humbled by your support for me and this program. Throughout my career, I have recognized that no one can do anything alone. I am grateful to all the staff, players, coaches, and Administrations for everything they have done to build our program.

I want to thank my family publicly. Laura, Kathryn Grace, Garren, and his wife, Macie, have sacrificed and arranged their schedules for mine. When my daughter was little, I was working on the baseball field, and she asked me if this was my garden. Over the years, I have often reflected on her profound, innocent observation of my coaching career.

Yes, Pete Taylor Park/Hill Denson Field has been my garden. Hopefully, you will agree we have grown and tended to many young lives and have thoroughly enjoyed a game that is truly America's and SMTTT's favorite pastime. Every walk has an end, and each step makes a memory. Thank you, God, for everything; I will hold your word in my heart.

Thank you, Southern Miss Faithful; it has been a blessing to me to serve as your Baseball Coach."