McSween is no stranger to the Crestview area, having previously served as a teacher, football coach, and Head Softball Coach for the Bulldogs back in 2013. McSween brings 15 years of high school baseball experience to Crestview, along with six years as a head coach between Vernon and Laurel Hill.

After serving Crestview for 27 years, Gillis has cemented a successful foundation for the baseball program. McSween looks to build upon that foundation with a few additions of his own.

“I think a lot of what I’ve learned has been from him. He’s definitely been a really good mentor. There are things that I do differently, I’ve also been around some other coaches I’ve coached under and you just kind of pick and choose from different coaches that have been successful, and kind of blend them all together,” McSween said. “He’s really established a well-run program and we’re not coming in here trying to blow the motor up and doing everything different because a lot of what he did has worked for a really long time.”

During his time at Vernon, Coach McSween led the Jackets to their first winning season in four years with a 17-8 overall record. He then took his talents to Laurel Hill from 2020-2024, coaching the Hoboes to some of their best seasons in baseball.

With his first year at Crestview, McSween isn’t too ambitious with his goals but aims to keep Crestview among the ranks in District 1-6A baseball.

“For the first year we just want to be really competitive in every game. We want to put a good product on the field, something for the community to be proud of. We got three teams in our district this year, us, Navarre, and Pace. So, one of our long-term goals would be to put us in position to compete for a district championship,” McSween said.

After the controversy that followed the hiring of Jon Hudson, McSween was quick with his response from athletic director Tim Hatton’s call.

“I was taken aback a little bit. But it was a very quick yes I can tell you that. I’m very grateful for the opportunity from Mrs. Hayden and Coach Hatton and everybody involved that’s giving me this opportunity,” McSween said. “I’m from here, played here. My dad has helped Coach Gillis here for 15, 16 years. It’s a community, it’s a program I care a lot about and want to make sure it’s taken care of and brought in the right direction.”

McSween is joined by Chris Sweatt, Shoal River’s Corey Armstrong, and former Laurel Hill assistant Dalton Bullock. All of which have a connection to Crestview High School, making a staff that truly understands the standards that Bulldog baseball is held to.

The 2026-27 baseball season doesn’t start for another eight months, but McSween is getting a head start on making sure his team is prepared for the season set out before them.

“It starts right now. It starts in the summer. We just had summer tryouts; we’re going to start working out starting Wednesday. We’re not worried about anybody else, we just have to play up to our level of expectations, play a clean game, and the great thing about baseball is anything can happen,” McSween said.

The Argos are moving to Division I across the board in athletics. Football is now part of the United Athletic Conference, a Football Championship Subdivision league. The other sports are headed to the Atlantic Sun.

The announcement was made at a press conference in front of a large crowd and cheers erupted when UWF President Manny Diaz made the announcement.

“What a big day,” Diaz said. “This decision reflects the momentum of our university that has been built for many years and positions us for continued growth in the years ahead.”

UWF Athletic Director Dave Scott called the move a memorable moment.

“Today is an exciting day for the Argonauts,” Scott said. “It’s a day we will remember when we made the transition and started a new era.”

He reflected on the success of the Argos’ D-II era, which included the football team starting from the ground level more than a decade ago and winning a national title four years into its history.

UWF has won 136 conference championships and 11 national titles as an athletic program.

“This moment was not given. It was earned,” Scott said. “In Division II, we had one of the most successful athletic programs. Our teams have delivered national championships, conference championships and All-Americans.

“We have competed at the highest level (in D-II), and every championship, every milestone, and every athlete who has helped our program remains part of UWF history. Division I is the next chapter of our story,” Scott added.

The Argos paid a $2 million entry fee to become a D-I member and must go through a three-year transition period before earning full D-I status starting in the fall of 2029.

While UWF cannot compete in the postseason over the next three years, it can still play for conference championships.

“It places our athletes on a bigger athletic stage while continuing the academic success that defines this university,” Scott said. “We’re excited about the opportunity ahead and ready to get to work.”

Jeff Bacon, the commissioner of the ASUN, spoke at the press conference and shared his excitement about the addition of the Argos to not only his conference, but the UAC as well.

“I’m very confident West Florida is well positioned to succeed as a member of the UAC and ASUN. And I am sure there are many more championships in your future. Welcome to the destination.”

There were several factors that went into UWF’s decision. Among them was the changing landscape of the Gulf South Conference in football. The GSC only had four teams last season.

In joining the UAC, the Argos reunite with two former GSC members in North Alabama and West Georgia.

“You have to look at the viability of the institution as a whole and what is best for the institution long term,” Diaz said. “We looked at all possible options, and looked at what was best for us, and that is why we landed here today.”

With more than 15,000 students, UWF is the third largest institution in both conferences.

Did Scott ever think UWF would be Division I 10 years after the football program played its inaugural season? Probably not.

But the goal was to always get here once football became part of the college’s landscape.

“It was always on the radar, and eventually we always knew we would land in this space. It makes sense at this time to be in this space,” Scott said.

UWF assistant football coach Steve Saulnier has been with the football program since day one. He remembers the early days when there was no stadium on campus or a football facility.

He’s excited to see UWF head into a new era.

“In this lifetime, you expect anything. Anything is possible,” Saulnier said. “With great leadership this was able to happen. It’s very exciting. It’s believable but also unbelievable.”