North Florida extends baseball coach Joe Mercadante's contract through 2030

The University of North Florida announced on August 12 that baseball coach Joe Mercadante received a three-year contract extension, rewarding his guidance leading to the Ospreys’ ASUN Graphite Division title. Mercadante's success in the 2026 season, along with a team-wide GPA of 3.4, contributed to the decision. Although UNF had faced struggles earlier in the season, including an 8-11 start, the team rallied to finish strong, outperforming expectations and earning recognition for improvements on the field. The financial details of the extension have not been disclosed, but Mercadante's impact on the program and focus on player development remain evident as they prepare for the upcoming seasons.

• 12:11 AMYahoo Sports — North Florida extends baseball coach Joe Mercadante's contract