University of South Florida head baseball coach Billy Mohl has announced the promotion of Karsten Whitson on the Bulls' coaching staff. Whitson, who served as a volunteer assistant for the past two season, has been promoted to a full-time member of the staff.

Whitson will continue in his primary role of working with the USF pitchers. A former standout on the mound himself, Whitson has transformed the Bulls' pitching staff into the premier group in the American Athletic Conference.

USF led the AAC in strikeouts per nine innings (11.8) during Whitson's his first season in 2020, and last year led the league in ERA (3.23), WHIP (1.23), opponent batting average (.220), hits allowed per nine innings (7.34) and shutouts (6). Whitson's work with the dominant pitching staff helped propel the Bulls to 2021 American Tournament Championship and the program's first-ever NCAA Super Regional berth.

The Bulls concluded the 2021 campaign ranked in the top 25 by five different publications.

A former first round pick of the San Diego Padres in 2010, Whitson went on to have a successful career at the University of Florida before again being drafted by the Boston Red Sox, where he spent two years in the organization.

During his time at USF, Whitson has worked with one draft pick and three free agent signees. Carson Ragsdale was a fourth-round pick by the Phillies in 2020, while Graham Hoffman and Nick Davila inked free agent contracts that same season. Most recently, Collin Sullivan signed a free agent deal with the Diamondbacks in 2021.

Prior to USF, Whitson spent two years as an assistant coach at Pensacola State College and served as the pitching coach with USA Baseball U18 National Development Program in 2018. He has also served as an associate scout with the Minnesota Twins and was a pitching coach with the Bismarck Larks of the Northwoods League in 2017.