Mississippi State Hires Brian O’Connor as Head Baseball Coach

Brian O’Connor, the winningest coach in Virginia baseball history with a 2015 national championship and seven College World Series appearances, has been hired as the new head baseball coach at Mississippi State. O’Connor replaces Chris Lemonis, who was fired earlier in the 2025 season after leading the Bulldogs to a 36-23 record and a national championship in 2021. O’Connor is bringing key staff members from Virginia, including recruiting coordinator Matt Kirby and assistant coach Kevin McMullan, and several UVA players have already entered the transfer portal, with some expected to follow him to Starkville. Mississippi State’s athletic director Zac Selmon praised the hire as a "powerful step forward," highlighting O’Connor’s impressive career accomplishments and his .702 winning percentage. The move reflects Mississippi State’s commitment to investing in its baseball program and competing at the highest level in the SEC. Fans and media have celebrated the hire enthusiastically, with creative announcements emphasizing the significance of baseball in Starkville.