Mississippi State Hires Brian O'Connor, Retains Justin Parker for Baseball

Mississippi State University has officially welcomed Brian O’Connor as the new head baseball coach, marking a significant hire in the program’s history. O’Connor emphasized the importance of cultural investment, highlighting his meetings with returning players to understand their connection to the team and fanbase. He retained Justin Parker as the pitching coach, who had served as interim coach after Chris Lemonis was fired and was praised for his expertise in pitching development and recruiting. Parker's tenure has seen notable improvements in team pitching statistics, including a dramatic reduction in ERA and enhanced strikeout rates, contributing to the Bulldogs' strong NCAA Tournament performances. O’Connor also brought assistant coaches Kevin McMullan and Matt Kirby from Virginia to complete his staff, aiming to build continuity and championship contention. The combination of O’Connor’s leadership and Parker’s pitching prowess sets a strong foundation for Mississippi State’s baseball future.