​St. Andrew’s Episcopal baseball will have a new face at the helm of the program, following its 29th season.Mark Fanning has resigned as head coach after 29 years with the Saints, as St. Andrew’s announced on social media on July 14. He posted a career record of 626-324 during that span. St. Andrew’s promoted assistant Josh Newell as its new coach.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement”It’s been a tremendous place to coach,” Fanning told the Clarion Ledger. “We’ve seen and interacted with so many great people. We’ve had some great kids graduate every year. Luckily for me, we’ve had some really good baseball players throughout the years who have come through our program.”We’ve been very competitive. When I took over the program, it was a good program, and we have maintained that consistency throughout 29 years.”1 / 30St. Andrew’s Episcopal pitcher John William Walker (4) throws against Pisgah in Ridgeland, Miss., on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.(Lauren Witte/Clarion Ledger)MORE: Baltimore Orioles select Vanderbilt baseball signee Eric Booth Jr. No. 7 overall in MLB draftFanning, 52, helped the Saints win two MHSAA championships by claiming Class 3A in 2018 and a 2A title in 2024. He won MAC Coach of the Year in 2025 and won a total of 20 division titles with five South State championships.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementSt. Andrew’s finished the 2026 season 24-9 and fell to Presbyterian Christian in three games in the second round of the 3A playoffs. The Saints gave PCS its only loss of the playoffs. The Bobcats would later go on to win the 3A championship.Newell arrived at St. Andrew’s in 2024 and was recently named associate head coach this past season. He takes over a program that has had four head coaches since 1974, before Newell’s promotion.”He does a great job of communicating with kids,” Fanning said. “He’s been more in an assistant role and really having time to talk with them and make adjustments and really make suggestions to them. I will say that our personalities are different. I’ve always been a little more fiery and to the point. He’s very relaxed and has a calm demeanor.”But I think the respect that he’s earned from the returning players is a big part of this transition. They are excited for him to take over his coach.”AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementNewell’s first head coaching stint was at Park Place Christian Academy.Michael Chavez covers high school sports, among others, for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at mchavez@gannett.com or reach out to him on X @MikeSChavez or Facebook at Michael Chavez.This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: St. Andrew’s Episcopal baseball coach Mark Fanning resigns after 29 years