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Founded in 2016 by Jesse and Emily Cole, the Savannah Bananas have transformed a fan-first version of baseball into one of the hottest tickets in sports. Known as Banana Ball, the game blends fast-paced action with showmanship, fan participation, and plenty of theatrics, from dancing players to bright yellow baseballs stitched with navy-blue laces.
Since becoming head coach in 2018, Tyler Gillum has helped fuel that rise.
“We’re living our dream, and trying to create the greatest show in sports,” he said.
This season, the Bananas and their sister teams are expected to entertain 3.4 million fans, with another 4.3 million people on the waiting list for tickets.
Ahead of his keynote at PRSA ICON 2026 on Oct. 18 in Orlando, Fla., Gillum spoke with PRsay about betting on yourself, building winning cultures, embracing the courage to be misunderstood and why success starts with putting people first. The interview was edited for length and clarity.
What first drew you to baseball, and when did you know you wanted to coach?
I’m a small-town country boy from Ada, Oklahoma. My dad was a bull rider. My mom was a cheerleader.
My journey is baseball. When I was 10 years old, we dogpiled for the first time. We won a championship. That feeling was unlike anything else. I’d been chasing that feeling ever since.
When I got to high school, I won four state championships and played for Eddie Collins, who became the winningest high school baseball coach in the country. He taught me more about life than baseball. I call him my hero.
My parents were loving and supportive, but they struggled with addiction. The baseball field became my getaway. It was my oxygen.
I’ve wanted to be a coach since I was 16 years old. I’ve never really thought about doing anything else.
Before joining the Bananas, you spent 13 years coaching college baseball, 11 of which were at South Mountain Community College in Phoenix. In a March Instagram post, you reflected on taking an unpaid, volunteer coaching position in Arizona because you believed it would offer you the best opportunity to learn and grow. What did that experience teach you about making career decisions?
I’ve never taken jobs based on money or benefits. I’ve always been chasing this coaching dream.
After earning my master’s degree, there wasn’t a full-time coaching position available. I believed Phoenix was the best place in the country to learn the game.
What philosophy has guided your career?
I’ve always followed a North Star of three things: learn, grow and network.
Every decision I’ve made comes back to asking: Can I learn? Can I grow? Can I build relationships with successful people?
That’s why I chose Phoenix. I cold-emailed every junior college coach in the area, drove 17 hours with almost no money, interviewed for two days, and stayed in a Denny’s parking lot to save money.
South Mountain offered me a volunteer job. I worked field maintenance from 4:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m., coached from 2 until 6 every afternoon, and eventually started teaching classes after earning my master’s degree.
I wasn’t chasing a paycheck. I was chasing an opportunity.
“Bet on yourself” has become one of your signature messages. What does that phrase mean to you?
The first time I really bet on myself was when I went from high school to junior college. I had scholarship offers, but I wanted to attend Seminole State because it was where winners went.
My own high school coach actually advised against it.
I knew I probably wasn’t going to start. I knew I’d have to compete every single day. But I wanted to become the best version of myself.
You’ve also said leaders need “the courage to be misunderstood.” Can you explain that mindset and why you think it’s important?
We have a saying with the Bananas: You have to have the courage to be misunderstood.
When people have big dreams, even those closest to them often can’t see their vision. You have to trust yourself.
That decision to attend Seminole was probably my first real “bet on yourself” moment. In my first year, 42 players came out for baseball. Seventeen quit.
I’ve always believed life is a war of attrition. I’m not the smartest guy in the room. I’m just willing to stay in the arena longer than most people.
You’ll be speaking to many students and new professionals at PRSA ICON. What advice would you give someone just starting a career?
Find something you love enough to do even if you weren’t getting paid. People ask me all the time about all the travel. I love it. I’d do this for free. But not everyone finds that passion immediately. Try different jobs. Meet different people. Go to conferences.
Everything comes down to people. I recently saw a shirt that said: “Do hard things with good people.” That’s great advice.
Here, Gillum shares what he hopes ICON attendees will be inspired to do differently after hearing his keynote:
The post ICON 2026 Preview: Tyler Gillum Discusses the Importance of Betting on Yourself first appeared on PRsay.