<body><div>In 24 seasons leading the Ole Miss baseball program, Bianco has delivered 18 postseason appearances, including eight Super Regional berths and a pair of trips to the College World Series, including a National Championship in 2022. He has racked up 906 victories, holding a 906-543-1 (.625) record (359-330 SEC) as the Rebels' head coach. To become the all-time winningest coach in Ole Miss history, Bianco passed Rebel legend Jake Gibbs with his 486th win on March 9, 2013, against Lipscomb in non-conference action. On April 4, 2023 Bianco became the second-winningest SEC coach of all-time, earning his 871st win and passing the legendary Skip Bertman.Though the last two losing seasons have been a rare sight for the Diamond Rebels under Bianco's direction, he's encouraged that he'll be able to steer the ship back onto the right path. Heading into his quarter century season as the Rebels' head coach in 2025, Bianco acknowledges the 'big number' and remains motivated to keep coaching. <figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4RHCXo_0w1hNPn400" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4RHCXo_0w1hNPn400" width="620" height="320" ><figcaption>(Photo: Ole Miss Athletics )</figcaption></figure>"I feel great. It's one of those things where I know I've been here for 25 years, but I got here very young. I got here at 33. I tell people 'I know 25 is a big number' and I respect that, but I also came here at 33. When I was 33, at the SEC meetings I was the youngest coach in the room by 15 years. Even though I've been here 25 years, I'm not the oldest in the Southeastern Conference. I think there's four or five coaches that are probably older than me. I'm not the young guy anymore, but it's something that I love to do," Bianco told Inside the Rebels. "It's something that I still feel good and healthy and something I look forward to everyday."Bianco made a big shakeup to his coaching staff this offseason when he brought in Joel Mangrum to be his first ever pitching coach at Ole Miss. They brought in 28 new players to the program between their recruiting and transfer portal class to complete the roster. Last weekend, Bianco's new-look group welcomed North Alabama for two six inning games. In their first competitive action against another program, the Rebels shined, scoring 25 runs in 12 innings while surrendering just one to the Lions.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1FbFlT_0w1hNPn400" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1FbFlT_0w1hNPn400" width="620" height="320" ><figcaption>(Photo: 247Sports)</figcaption></figure>What was Bianco's assessment of his 2025 team against North Alabama? "We played really well. It's nice to win if there is a win in this, but as I told the guys, as coaches and hopefully players the goal is to play well. We played well today and really it's our third scrimmage, practice game — including intrasquad games — this is the best we've played," Bianco noted. "The best we've been at the mound, attacking the strike zone. The best we've been defensively (too), I think we made one error in 12 innings and it was the collision in the outfield. We were clean out there and then offensively we swung it well. I thought we ran the bases well. As a coach you certainly have to be happy after that."In Ole Miss baseball's next fall exhibition game, the Rebels will take on the Samford Bulldogs at Swayze Field Saturday, October 19. The Diamond Rebels will open their 2025 season at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas for the Shriners Children's College Showdown on Friday, Feb. 14. The Rebels are one of six teams (Clemson, Louisville, Texas, Oklahoma State, Arizona) participating in the opening weekend event. Ole Miss' season-opener that Friday will be against the Arizona Wildcats with a 3 p.m. CT first pitch.</div></body>

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‘Something I look forward to every day’:Mike Bianco’s motivation unwavering going into 25th Ole Miss season

In 24 seasons leading the Ole Miss baseball program, Bianco has delivered 18 postseason appearances, including eight Super Regional berths and a pair of trips to the College World Series, including a National Championship in 2022. He has racked up 906 victories, holding a 906-543-1 (.625) record (359-330 SEC) as the Rebels' head coach.

‘Something I look forward to every day’:Mike Bianco’s motivation unwavering going into 25th Ole Miss season

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