June 3, 2025

Mississippi State Baseball Welcomes New Head Coach

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News Summary

Mississippi State baseball has officially announced the hiring of Brian O’Connor as its new head coach, marking a significant change in leadership for the program. O’Connor, previously at the University of Virginia, led his team to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances and holds a College World Series Championship. His hiring follows the dismissal of Chris Lemonis and aims to revitalize Mississippi State’s status in college baseball. A formal introduction event is scheduled, creating anticipation among fans and stakeholders for a new era of success.

Starkville, Mississippi – Mississippi State baseball has announced the hiring of Brian O’Connor as its new head coach, making him the 19th individual to hold the position in the program’s history. O’Connor, who brings a wealth of experience and success to the role, is notable for being the only head coach in the program’s history with a College World Series Championship to his name, which he achieved while coaching at the University of Virginia in 2015.

Having recently concluded a remarkable 22-year tenure at Virginia, O’Connor led the Cavaliers to 18 NCAA Tournament appearances, won nine regional championships, and secured seven super regional titles. His overall coaching record at Virginia stands at 923 wins, 388 losses, and 2 ties, placing him third among active college coaches in winning percentage.

In his final season at Virginia, O’Connor’s squad finished with a 32-18 record and further advanced to the College World Series in both 2023 and 2024. His leadership has been recognized as he was named National Coach of the Year three times, and in 2024, he was inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) Hall of Fame. During his time at Virginia, he also significantly increased attendance at Disharoon Park, with the 2024 season recording an average gate of 4,197 fans.

O’Connor’s familiarity with the Mississippi State program adds depth to his hiring. He has faced the Bulldogs in postseason play multiple times, including a recent encounter that saw Virginia eliminate Mississippi State from the NCAA tournament in 2024.

The need for a new head coach arose after Chris Lemonis was dismissed on April 28, following a less-than-stellar season. Justin Parker had been serving as the interim head coach for three weeks prior to O’Connor’s appointment, a decision that aims to restore Mississippi State’s reputation as a powerhouse in college baseball.

O’Connor, originally from Omaha, Nebraska, has a solid baseball foundation himself, having played college baseball at Creighton University as a pitcher from 1990 to 1993. He was part of the 1991 Creighton team that reached the College World Series. His coaching journey started at Creighton before moving to Notre Dame, where he served as an assistant coach from 1995 to 2003.

The formal introduction of Brian O’Connor as Mississippi State’s new head coach is scheduled for June 5 at 7 p.m. at Dudy Noble Field, and the event is open to the public. This announcement comes with heightened expectations, as stakeholders and fans alike hope to see the program reclaim its status as a leading force in collegiate baseball.

Mississippi State baseball has a storied history that the athletic department aims to enhance under O’Connor’s guidance. The addition of O’Connor signifies a strategic move toward a new era of success for the Bulldogs, focusing on building a team capable of competing at the highest levels of college baseball.