Remembering Jess Dannelly: The Coach Who Started USC Salkehatchie Baseball

When USC Salkehatchie baseball takes the field today, it carries forward a program that began with Coach Jess Dannelly.

Dannelly founded the USC Salkehatchie baseball program in 1975 and became its first head coach. What began under his leadership grew into a program that has welcomed generations of student-athletes and become an important part of USC Salkehatchie Athletics.

“Without Coach Dannelly, we would not have the baseball program we have today. More than 50 years after he established the program, his influence remains an important part of USC Salkehatchie Athletics,” said Dr. April Cone, dean of USC Salkehatchie.

Dannelly’s time at USC Salkehatchie marked the beginning of a long career in collegiate athletics. He later joined Coastal Carolina University, where he served in coaching and administrative roles and continued working with student-athletes for many years.

While his career took him beyond USC Salkehatchie, the program he started remains part of his legacy here. The players who have worn a USC Salkehatchie baseball uniform, the coaches who have led them and the teams that will take the field in the years ahead are all part of something Dannelly helped set in motion.

His passing is an opportunity to remember not only USC Salkehatchie’s first baseball coach, but also the lasting difference one person can make in the life of a college and its student-athletes.

USC Salkehatchie extends its deepest condolences to Coach Dannelly’s family, friends, former players and colleagues, as well as all who knew and were impacted by him.