Mississippi State University is preparing to appoint Brian O’Connor, the head coach of Virginia’s baseball team for the past 21 seasons, as its new head baseball coach. O’Connor achieved significant success during his tenure at UVA, leading the Cavaliers to an NCAA College World Series championship in 2015 and making seven appearances in Omaha overall. His impressive coaching record stands at 885 wins against 370 losses, including a strong 362-234 record in Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) play.
Last year, O’Connor was mentioned in connection with the Texas A&M coaching vacancy but chose to remain in Charlottesville. His leadership has been recognized multiple times, earning him the title of ACC Coach of the Year on five occasions and leading UVA to two conference championships.
O’Connor will replace Chris Lemonis, who was dismissed following a challenging start to the season in Southeastern Conference (SEC) play, with a record of 7-14. Mississippi State athletics director Zac Selmon explained that this leadership change is aimed at reestablishing the program’s success. He acknowledged Lemonis’s contributions, including the national championship victory in 2021, while emphasizing the need for consistent improvement.
In the wake of Lemonis’s departure, interim head coach Justin Parker guided the team to a resurgence, winning nine out of their next ten games, which included eight conference wins, and earning a berth in the NCAA Tournament despite setbacks in the SEC Tournament. This turnaround highlights the resilience and potential of the Bulldogs, setting a hopeful tone for O’Connor’s upcoming leadership role.
As O’Connor steps into this new position, he will aim to build on Mississippi State’s rich baseball tradition and harness the existing talent within the team to drive future success.