Mississippi State Baseball Makes Major Announcement as Season Ends
Mississippi State Baseball Makes Major Announcement as Season Ends originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The run is over. And just like that, Mississippi State's 2025 campaign ends not with a bang, but with a new manager.
Advertisement
Hail State managed to round up some late-season magic, knocking off Northeastern and snapping the Huskies' jaw-dropping 27-game win streak in their opening regional game. But the dream fizzled fast, as two straight losses to regional host Florida State brought the curtain down on a rollercoaster season. The Seminoles didn't just win—they bulldozed their way through, reasserting their dominance.
But even as the final out came, the next chapter was already taking shape. Mississippi State didn't wait long to signal a new beginning.
Athletic Director Zac Selmon turned to X (formerly Twitter) to tease the coming news. But this wasn't your typical press release. Selmon posted a short clip of maroon smoke rising from a grill in the Left Field Lounge. For the uninitiated, it was a clever riff on Vatican tradition, where white smoke signals the election of a new Pope. The timing wasn't lost on anyone, especially with the recent announcement of Pope Leo XIV just weeks prior.
In Starkville, the smoke meant one thing that a new head coach was coming. Brian O'Connor will be taking over in Starkville.
Advertisement
The longtime Virginia skipper is one of the most respected names in college baseball. During his 21 seasons in Charlottesville, O'Connor turned the Cavaliers into a national power—winning a College World Series title in 2015, making seven trips to Omaha, and stacking up a career 885–370–2 record. He's a five-time conference coach of the year with two ACC championships under his belt. His teams won 60% of their conference games. This isn't just a good hire. It's a power move.
And make no mistake about it, Mississippi State needed one.
'We have not consistently met the standard of success that our university, fans, and student-athletes deserve,' Selmon said in a statement. 'A change in leadership is what's best for the future of Mississippi State Baseball.'
Related: Why Mississippi State Baseball should be a highly prestigious position
There's talent in Starkville—that much was clear during the late-season push under interim coach Justin Parker, who guided the Bulldogs to wins in nine of their final ten regular-season games. They went 1–3 in postseason play, but the spark was real.
Advertisement
Now, O'Connor steps into the teeth of the SEC—undeniably the most competitive conference in college baseball. It's a gauntlet, even for a seasoned veteran.
But this is Mississippi State. The expectations are sky-high, the fans are locked in, and the smoke has cleared.
It's time to see what comes next.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Associated Press
21 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Andy Pages delivers in 10th, Dodgers edge Padres 8-7 in rivals' first meeting of the season
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Andy Pages led off the 10th inning with an RBI double before scoring on Tommy Edman's single, and the Los Angeles Dodgers hung on to open their season series against the San Diego Padres with an 8-7 victory Monday night. Will Smith homered and drove in three runs in the first of seven meetings in 11 days between the Southern California rivals. It's also a rematch of their NL Division Series last October, when the Dodgers rallied from a 2-1 deficit to eliminate San Diego with back-to-back shutouts in what proved to be their toughest playoff test on the way to a World Series championship. After Pages delivered yet another clutch hit off Wandy Peralta (3-1), Edman brought him home with a fortunate bouncer that ricocheted off second base. Jackson Merrill slugged a one-out RBI double in the 10th for San Diego, but Tanner Scott finished for his 12th save. Kirby Yates (4-2) struck out two in a hitless ninth. Tyler Wade had a three-run triple for the Padres, who have lost four of six. Nick Pivetta yielded five runs and eight hits over just four innings in his second straight rough start for the Padres, while Dustin May gave up six hits and four walks over five innings for LA. Shohei Ohtani led off with a 111-mph double and scored on a double by Freddie Freeman, who had three hits. Manny Machado had an RBI double for San Diego in the first. Smith put the Dodgers up 5-3 in the third with a two-run homer, his sixth. Wade cleared the bases for the Padres later in the third with a two-out drive that Teoscar Hernández couldn't catch while sliding in right field. Key moment Hyeseong Kim had a tying double in the fifth for the Dodgers, and neither team scored again until Pages drove in Max Muncy. Key stat In front of Petco Park's usual lively bipartisan crowd for this rivalry, both starting pitchers were battered by these powerhouse lineups for 11 combined runs in the first three innings. Up next Dylan Cease (1-5, 4.72 ERA) pitches Tuesday for San Diego. The Dodgers hadn't announced the next patch on their injury-riddled rotation. ___ AP MLB:
Associated Press
21 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Diamondbacks reliever Martinez exits with apparent injury in 9th inning against Mariners
PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona Diamondbacks reliever Justin Martinez exited in the ninth inning against the Seattle Mariners on Monday night with an apparent injury. Martinez came in to start the ninth with the Mariners leading 4-0 and struck out Jorge Polanco and Randy Arozarena to start the inning. He then walked Dylan Moore with a 3-2 count and threw a pitch to Donovan Solano before calling for the trainer. Jeff Brigham came in, and Solano drove in Moore with a single after the runner advanced on indifference. Solano took second on indifference and came around on a single by Corbin Young. Dominic Canzone then tied it with a 450-foot, two-run drive to right for his first homer this season. ___ AP MLB:
CBS News
33 minutes ago
- CBS News
Golden State Valkyries beat the Sparks 89-81 as Thornton takes over in OT
Janelle Salaun had 21 points and eight rebounds, Kayla Thornton made a 3-pointer with 37.9 seconds left in overtime, and the Golden State Valkyries beat the Los Angeles Sparks 89-81 on Monday night. The Monday night victory puts them at a 2-2 record in the Commissioner's Cup. Veronica Burton made her first field goal of the game in overtime and Thornton added a basket on Golden State's next possession for an 82-79 lead. Salaun scored on the Valkyries' third straight possession, following an offensive rebound, to make it 84-81 with 2:03 left. Golden State dominated the rebounding 49-34, including 17-6 on the offensive end. Los Angeles missed 8 of 9 field goals in overtime. Thornton finished with 18 points and 11 rebounds and Temi Fagbenle added 14 points, 13 rebounds, four steals and four blocks for Golden State (4-5). Carla Leite scored 15 points and Monique Billings added 10. The Valkyries went 20 for 23 at the free-throw line. Kelsey Plum had 24 points, four 3-pointers and seven assists for Los Angeles (3-7). Dearica Hamby added 20 points, nine rebounds and five assists. Plum reached 1,000 career assists in the fourth quarter. Plum made a step-back 3-pointer with 37.8 left in regulation to give Los Angeles a 78-76 lead. But Golden State had two chances at the other end after an offensive rebound and Leite made a driving layup at 25.1 to tie it. Plum was short on a contested shot in the lane just before the regulation buzzer. The teams were a combined 11 for 57 (19%) from 3-point range. Golden State will face the Seattle Storm on June 14 for another Commissioner's Cup game. ___ AP WNBA:
