University of Tennessee Athletics
Baseball
Kirby Connell
- Title:
- Individual Branding and Community Service Coordinator
- Email:
- kconnel7@utk.edu
Following an impressive playing career at Tennessee, Kirby Connell joined the Volunteers’ staff as an analyst for the 2025 season before moving into a new role as team’s Individual Branding and Community Service Coordinator prior to the 2026 campaign.
Connell’s responsibilities include oversight of all team community service activities as well as assisting players with brand-building initiatives. He also is heavily involved with daily operations as it pertains to Tennessee’s pitching staff, aiding in the development of throwing programs and daily schedules while serving as the bullpen coach, as well.
An ultra reliable left-handed relief pitcher for the Vols, Connell finished his playing career with a 10-2 record and a 3.04 ERA over a program-record 129 appearances during his five years on Rocky Top.
Connell capped his illustrious collegiate tenure by helping lead UT to its first ever National Championship in 2024, allowing just one run while pitching in all six of the Vols’ contests at College World Series in Omaha, including three scoreless relief outings in the championship series against Texas A&M.
Connell’s 36 appearances on the mound in 2024 are also a single-season program record as he proved to be one of Tennessee’s top relievers, finishing the year with a 4-1 record to go along with career highs in innings pitched (49.0), saves (four) and strikeouts (49).
From 2020-2024, Connell played key roles on UT teams that won a combined four SEC titles (regular season and tournament champions in 2022 and 2024) and was a five-time SEC Spring Academic Honor Roll selection. He was also a member of the prestigious VOLeaders Academy Class of 2020-21 and was named to the 2022 SEC Baseball Community Service Team.
A native of Johnson City, Tennessee, Connell earned a bachelor’s degree in public administration from UT’s Haslam College of Business in May of 2023 before completing his master’s in agricultural leadership, education and communication in 2024. He and his fiancé, Cayden, reside in Knoxville.
Connell’s responsibilities include oversight of all team community service activities as well as assisting players with brand-building initiatives. He also is heavily involved with daily operations as it pertains to Tennessee’s pitching staff, aiding in the development of throwing programs and daily schedules while serving as the bullpen coach, as well.
An ultra reliable left-handed relief pitcher for the Vols, Connell finished his playing career with a 10-2 record and a 3.04 ERA over a program-record 129 appearances during his five years on Rocky Top.
Connell capped his illustrious collegiate tenure by helping lead UT to its first ever National Championship in 2024, allowing just one run while pitching in all six of the Vols’ contests at College World Series in Omaha, including three scoreless relief outings in the championship series against Texas A&M.
Connell’s 36 appearances on the mound in 2024 are also a single-season program record as he proved to be one of Tennessee’s top relievers, finishing the year with a 4-1 record to go along with career highs in innings pitched (49.0), saves (four) and strikeouts (49).
From 2020-2024, Connell played key roles on UT teams that won a combined four SEC titles (regular season and tournament champions in 2022 and 2024) and was a five-time SEC Spring Academic Honor Roll selection. He was also a member of the prestigious VOLeaders Academy Class of 2020-21 and was named to the 2022 SEC Baseball Community Service Team.
A native of Johnson City, Tennessee, Connell earned a bachelor’s degree in public administration from UT’s Haslam College of Business in May of 2023 before completing his master’s in agricultural leadership, education and communication in 2024. He and his fiancé, Cayden, reside in Knoxville.
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Friday, November 07
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BSB | Tennessee Super Regional Postgame Presser at Arkansas (6.7.25)
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