The Coastal Plain League has announced Savannah’s Tyler Gillum as the 2022 CPL Coach of the Year after guiding the Bananas to their second consecutive CPL Petitt Cup Championship.

“First, I would like to thank the CPL and the Bananas organization for the opportunity to coach in one of the top collegiate summer baseball leagues in the country,” said Gillum. “After coaching summer baseball for 10 years, I would like to recognize the CPL front office and the owners for all their time and effort throughout each year to create these awesome experiences for players and fans alike…thank you!”

Gillum started his fifth season at the helm of the Bananas right where he left off in 2021, winning eight of the team’s first 10 games. Savannah cruised their way to the West Division First Half title, and Gillum was named the head coach of the West CPL All-Stars and led them to a 3-2 victory. The Bananas then repeated with the Second Half crown and finished the regular season with a 34-14 record overall. In the playoffs, they scored an average of 8.75 runs per game to help them to a 4-0 mark against Macon and Wilson and earn their third championship in franchise history.

“I would also like to thank all the players for their commitment throughout the summer season,” continued Gillum. “The truth is that players win games which make these awards possible for coaches, so my hat goes off to all of our players for their toughness, energy, selflessness and love for each other to make this happen. I want to also express gratitude to all of my assistants – Errick Fox, Corey Pye, Tyle Hankins, Adam Moreau and Reginald Horton – for their daily work in Bananaland. These guys make everything happen: recruiting, field work, skill development, entertainment script, cleaning the locker room, pregame speeches and much more. None of this is possible without their leadership and commitment to the team. They should be receiving this award for everything they do for us.”

The Bananas were among the leaders in several categories most of the season, and finished the regular season with a league-best 2.82 team ERA and a .273 team batting average (third-best in the CPL). And typical of a Gillum-led team, they also led the CPL in stolen bases with 154. On the bump, Savannah was led by Jared Donalson (6-1, 2.45 ERA, 46 K), Carson Dorsey (4-0, 1.61 ERA, 32 K) and Nolan Daniel (4-1, 3 SV, 1.06 ERA, 33 K). Meanwhile, at the plate, Beau Brewer (.333 BA, 22 R, 15 RBIs), Indy Stanley (.315 BA, 25 R, 22 RBIs) and Armando Becerra (.308 BA, 27 R, 23 RBIs).

“I would also like to give a shout out to all the fans and host families throughout the summer,” said Gillum. “Thank you fans for bringing the energy every night and thank you to the host families for opening your homes to these players. I am happy to accept this award for all the hardwork by our entire organization.”

Gillum has spent the past 11 years at South Mountain Community College, where he serves as the Associate Head Coach and primarily works with the infielders and coaches third base. He graduated from Latta High School in Oklahoma in 2005, where he was a member of four state championship teams before spending two years at Seminole State Junior College. He finished his playing career at East Central University earning a degree in Kinesiology (Teacher’s Certification) and a Master’s in Education with an emphasis in Sports Administration.

About Coastal Plain League:
The Coastal Plain League, brought to you by FloSports, is the nation’s premier summer collegiate baseball league. Now in its 26th season in 2022, the CPL features 14 franchises playing in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. To date, the CPL has had nearly 1,750 alumni drafted and 157 alums make their Major League debut – including 2017 ALCS MVP, 2017 World Series champion, 2011 AL MVP and Cy Young award winner Justin Verlander, as well as 2017 NLCS MVP Chris Taylor. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at www.coastalplain.com, and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok @CPLBaseball.