June 6, 2025

Mississippi State Retains Justin Parker as Pitching Coach

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News Summary

Mississippi State head baseball coach Brian O’Connor has confirmed that Justin Parker will remain as the team’s pitching coach for the upcoming season. O’Connor praised Parker for his exceptional pitching knowledge and recruitment skills, emphasizing the positive impact he had on the team’s performance during his interim tenure, where they finished with a solid record. Parker expressed gratitude to the fanbase and looks forward to continuing his collaboration with the coaching staff to enhance the program’s future.

Starkville, Mississippi – Mississippi State head baseball coach Brian O’Connor has confirmed that Justin Parker will continue as the team’s pitching coach for the upcoming season. This announcement was made just before O’Connor’s official introduction at Dudy Noble Field on June 5, 2025.

Parker previously held the position of interim head coach from April 28 until the conclusion of the season. During this time, he successfully led the Bulldogs to an impressive 9-1 record in the regular season. Under Parker’s guidance, Mississippi State achieved a balanced 15-15 record in Southeastern Conference play, which earned them an NCAA tournament at-large bid. However, their postseason journey concluded at the Tallahassee Regional, where they faced off against Florida State.

O’Connor specifically praised Parker as one of the most respected pitching minds in college baseball. He commended Parker’s recruiting abilities, communication skills, and talent for developing elite pitchers. These attributes ultimately influenced O’Connor’s decision to retain Parker as a vital member of the coaching staff.

Parker joined Mississippi State in 2023 under former head coach Chris Lemonis. He played a pivotal role as pitching coach, where he notably improved the Bulldog bullpen. In the subsequent season, 2024, the Bulldogs bounced back from two prior losing seasons and emerged as a top 15 Division I pitching team. However, in 2025, there was a slight decline in performance as the team searched for consistent starting pitchers. Despite this, ace pitcher Pico Kohn showed significant recovery from injury after working closely with Parker for the duration of two seasons.

Statistically, the Bulldogs’ pitching staff finished impressively during the 2025 season, ranking fourth nationally in strikeouts per nine innings with an average of 11.8. Additionally, they secured an eighth-place ranking with a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 3.05 nationally. These figures reflect Parker’s effectiveness and the overall strength of the pitching program he has helped develop.

O’Connor, prior to his appointment, had observed Parker’s pitching staff during the previous season’s Charlottesville Regional, a factor that contributed to his decision to retain him. O’Connor’s hiring was announced only an hour after the conclusion of Mississippi State’s season, and he wasted no time in initiating exit interviews with players soon after his arrival in Starkville.

In addition to retaining Parker, O’Connor has brought two other Virginia assistants, Kevin McMullan and Matt Kirby, onto his staff. McMullan, a distinguished coach, was recognized as the National Assistant Coach of the Year in both 2009 and 2024. Kirby, who has been involved in Virginia’s program for 14 seasons, has experience serving as a recruiting coordinator.

Parker expressed his gratitude to the Mississippi State fanbase and community for their support over the past seasons. He conveyed his excitement about continuing to work within O’Connor’s program, further emphasizing the importance of collaboration among the coaching staff to build a strong future for the Bulldogs.

With the retention of Justin Parker and the addition of O’Connor and his team, Mississippi State baseball is poised for a promising season ahead as they aim to strengthen their program and achieve greater success on the field.