The start of the Division I college baseball season has brought new beginnings for Creighton University, with Mark Kingston stepping in as the head coach. This change comes following the retirement of Ed Servais, who concluded his 22-year tenure with the Bluejays after the 2025 season, having led them to six NCAA Tournaments.
Kingston, who was previously at the helm of South Carolina’s team and has experience as an assistant coach in Omaha, is no stranger to high-stakes baseball. His coaching journey includes leading South Florida and Illinois State programs and making College World Series appearances both as a coach and a player at North Carolina.
“Creighton baseball has a long, storied history,” Kingston commented, as he aims to maintain the team’s national presence. The Bluejays, who have made 12 NCAA Tournament appearances since 1973, play home games at Charles Schwab Field, the site of the prestigious College World Series.
Kingston joined the Creighton coaching staff last year, alongside assistants Mike Current and Billy Mohl, who were retained for the current season. “I think we were able to help a lot, but at the same time, we got a head start on our recruiting for the future as well,” Kingston remarked, emphasizing the program’s strong position.
The strategic location in Omaha, coupled with Creighton’s baseball legacy and top-tier facilities, offers a compelling package for recruits. “When you factor in Creighton baseball’s history, the education, and on top of that we play in the best college baseball facility in the country here, I think that’s a very attractive thing to sell to potential recruits,” Kingston said.
The Bluejays are coming off an NCAA Tournament appearance, continuing the tradition of excellence established under Servais. The team has consistently led Division I in fielding percentage, committing the fewest errors over two decades.
Kingston’s vision is to build a well-rounded team focused on pitching, defense, and an explosive offense. The Bluejays demonstrated their defensive prowess by going error-free during their opening weekend series against Saint Mary’s College, a feat not achieved since 1988.
Despite challenges posed by Nebraska’s cold climate, which limits outdoor practice opportunities, Kingston is adapting. “The biggest difference is that we don’t really get to play inner-squad games. When I was at South Carolina, we would have had as many as 12 to 14 inner-squad games before the season started,” he explained, noting the adjustments required during the season.
The conversation around college baseball’s growth includes ideas like Clemson head coach Erik Bakich’s proposal to start the season later, potentially boosting attendance and revenue. Kingston supports this view, stating, “I think our sport is exploding. All you have to do is look at the College World Series and see what kind of support there is.”
As the Bluejays continue their season, the team has faced challenges, including a 0-3 performance at the Tony Gwynn Tournament in California. However, Kingston remains optimistic about the positive impact of more warm-weather games, especially in northern regions.
Looking ahead, Creighton will participate in a tournament in Cleburne, Texas, facing Tarleton State and Abilene Christian, as they strive to build momentum in the season.
