Mangrum, a native of Brandon, Miss., joins the NM State coaching staff after spending the last six seasons as the pitching coach and recruiting coordinator at Austin Peay, helping the Governors become a dominant force in the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC). During his time at Austin Peay, Mangrum’s pitching staff ranked among the league’s top four in ERA for three seasons, also ranking first or second in strikeouts each of those campaigns.
While at Austin Peay, Mangrum mentored closer Tyler Rogers, the 2013 OVC Pitcher of the Year. Rogers shined as the star closer for the Governors with a submarine delivery, setting the NCAA Division I record for saves, while shattering school and conference records.
Mangrum’s 2012 pitching staff reached new heights, recording all-time highs for the program in innings pitched (581.1), while tying the program record for saves (14) and notching a then-record 433 strikeouts. The Governors’ pitching staff shined during post season play, posting four shutouts in nine contests. Back-to-back shutouts of Eastern Illinois helped to clinch the 2012 OVC Tournament title and catapulted the Governors into the NCAA Tournament where they again posted back-to-back shutouts (Indiana State and Cal State Fullerton) to help the team reach its first-ever NCAA Regional final.
The Governors pitching staff enjoyed a record-breaking season in 2011, posting 431 strikeouts, the first 400-strikeout campaign in program history. Austin Peay’s 7.86 strikeouts per nine innings rate was 28th among all Division I programs that season and the third-best rate in program history.
That 2011 campaign began the previous year when Mangrum coordinated an effort that brought 17 newcomers to Austin Peay, the Governors’ largest recruiting class since 2003.
In Mangrum’s first season at Austin Peay, the Govenors recorded 28 wins during the 2010 season the 16th-best single-season total since 1970. In addition, Governors pitchers struck out 320 batters, the 18th-best mark in program history.
As the Govenors recruiting coordinator at Austin Peay, Mangrum brought in players that eventually have won two OVC Pitcher of the Year honors, a Player of the Year honor, eight All-OVC awards and four All-America accolades.
Prior to joining the Govenors, Mangrum served as an associate scout with the San Diego Padres, covering the state of Tennessee and assisting in coverage of the rookie-level Appalachian League.
Mangrum spent three seasons at Milligan College, from 2007-09, where he was the program’s pitching coach and recruiting coordinator. During his tenure with the Buffaloes, the pitching staff’s earned-run average was ranked among the NAIA’s top 20 nationally each season and led the nation in 2007, posting a 2.64 ERA. Mangrum also worked with two all-conference pitchers and had a pitcher lead the league in earned run average each of his two seasons.
Following graduation, Mangrum returned to Hinds Community College to begin his coaching career. In his only season, he instructed outfielders and hitters.
Mangrum graduated from Mississippi College in 2005 where he was a conference honorable mention selection in 2005 as a designated hitter after batting .351. Prior to that he was a pitcher and infielder at Hinds Community College in Raymond, Miss., where he was an All-Region 23 selection.
Mangrum graduated from Northwest Rankin High School in 2001. He and his wife, Andrea (formerly Roberts) and their daughter, Harlee Jordyn, currently reside in Las Cruces.