University of Tennessee Athletics
Craig Bell to Join Baseball Staff as Director of Program Development
December 18, 2025 | Baseball
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee head baseball coach Josh Elander announced another addition to his staff on Thursday, naming Craig Bell the Director of Program Development for the Volunteers ahead of the 2026 season.
In this new role, Bell will assist with player development in all areas, as well as collaborate with the coaching staff on player evaluation, skill development, recruiting support and general program improvements/student-athlete wellbeing.
"We are thrilled to welcome Craig Bell and his wife, Karri, to Knoxville," Elander said. "Craig, an SEC veteran and national champion, brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our program. His diverse baseball background, encompassing scouting, player development, coaching and special assignments in professional baseball, makes him an invaluable asset. More importantly, his proven track record as a winner and his understanding of the demands of competing and succeeding in the SEC make him an ideal addition to our team."
Bell brings a plethora of experience at the professional and collegiate level with him to Knoxville, having spent extensive time working in Major League Baseball scouting departments for the Cincinnati Reds (1993-00), Seattle Mariners (2000-07) and the San Diego Padres (2023-25) as well as 15 seasons as an assistant coach for the University of Florida (2007-22).
During his time in Gainesville, Bell was involved in all facets of the team and played an integral role in Florida's rise to become one of the nation's premier college baseball programs.
Bell was part of a staff that helped lead the Gators to their first national title in 2017 and a runner-up finish at the 2011 NCAA Men's College World Series. In total, Florida made seven MCWS appearances (2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018), 13-consecutive NCAA regionals, captured five SEC Championships (2010, 2011, 2014, 2017, 2018) and won two SEC Tournament titles (2011, 2015) during Bell's tenure as an assistant coach.
An elite evaluator of talent, Bell helped recruit and sign 41 players during his time at UF that have since gone on to reach the Major League level. During his college coaching career, he's played a major part in the development of 94 players that have been selected in the MLB Draft, including 10 first-round picks.
Bell earned his bachelor's degree in physical education from the University of North Florida in 1989 and was a member of the Ospreys' baseball team during the 1988 and 1989 seasons. In addition, he was a two-year letterwinner on the diamond at Palm Beach Community College, where he earned his associate of arts degree in 1987.
A native of West Palm Beach, Florida, Bell spent nine seasons as the head baseball coach at Palm Beach Lakes High School (1990-98) and two years as an assistant coach at Wellington High School (1999-00) before becoming a supervising area scout for the Seattle Mariners.
Bell is married to the former Karri Roy of Pontiac, Michigan. The couple has two sons, Ryan and Kyle.
In this new role, Bell will assist with player development in all areas, as well as collaborate with the coaching staff on player evaluation, skill development, recruiting support and general program improvements/student-athlete wellbeing.
"We are thrilled to welcome Craig Bell and his wife, Karri, to Knoxville," Elander said. "Craig, an SEC veteran and national champion, brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our program. His diverse baseball background, encompassing scouting, player development, coaching and special assignments in professional baseball, makes him an invaluable asset. More importantly, his proven track record as a winner and his understanding of the demands of competing and succeeding in the SEC make him an ideal addition to our team."
Bell brings a plethora of experience at the professional and collegiate level with him to Knoxville, having spent extensive time working in Major League Baseball scouting departments for the Cincinnati Reds (1993-00), Seattle Mariners (2000-07) and the San Diego Padres (2023-25) as well as 15 seasons as an assistant coach for the University of Florida (2007-22).
During his time in Gainesville, Bell was involved in all facets of the team and played an integral role in Florida's rise to become one of the nation's premier college baseball programs.
Bell was part of a staff that helped lead the Gators to their first national title in 2017 and a runner-up finish at the 2011 NCAA Men's College World Series. In total, Florida made seven MCWS appearances (2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018), 13-consecutive NCAA regionals, captured five SEC Championships (2010, 2011, 2014, 2017, 2018) and won two SEC Tournament titles (2011, 2015) during Bell's tenure as an assistant coach.
An elite evaluator of talent, Bell helped recruit and sign 41 players during his time at UF that have since gone on to reach the Major League level. During his college coaching career, he's played a major part in the development of 94 players that have been selected in the MLB Draft, including 10 first-round picks.
Bell earned his bachelor's degree in physical education from the University of North Florida in 1989 and was a member of the Ospreys' baseball team during the 1988 and 1989 seasons. In addition, he was a two-year letterwinner on the diamond at Palm Beach Community College, where he earned his associate of arts degree in 1987.
A native of West Palm Beach, Florida, Bell spent nine seasons as the head baseball coach at Palm Beach Lakes High School (1990-98) and two years as an assistant coach at Wellington High School (1999-00) before becoming a supervising area scout for the Seattle Mariners.
Bell is married to the former Karri Roy of Pontiac, Michigan. The couple has two sons, Ryan and Kyle.
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