STARKVILLE, Miss. — Brian O’Connor, a distinguished figure in college baseball who guided Virginia to multiple College World Series tournaments and secured a national title, is set to become the new head coach at Mississippi State. This announcement came shortly after MSU concluded its season with a 5-2 defeat against Florida State during the NCAA Tournament.
Throughout his remarkable 22-year tenure at Virginia, the 54-year-old O’Connor achieved a record of 917 victories. His exceptional leadership earned him the title of national coach of the year on three occasions and ACC coach of the year five times. O’Connor’s proficiency was evident as the Cavaliers participated in 18 NCAA regionals and nine super regionals. Notably, his squad clinched the national championship in 2015. Under his guidance, 102 of his players were chosen in the Major League Baseball amateur draft, with 31 going on to make their mark in the major leagues.
“Mississippi State embodies all the aspects I’m passionate about in college baseball — tradition, fervor, and the unwavering quest for success,” O’Connor remarked. “Having coached against this formidable program and observed it for many years, I recognize the unparalleled atmosphere at Dudy Noble Field. It is a national benchmark in the sport. I am deeply honored and thankful for the chance to lead such a storied program with a devoted fan base.”
In April, Mississippi State opted to part ways with their former coach Chris Lemonis, despite his success in securing the 2021 national championship. The team faced challenges post-championship; however, interim coach Justin Parker concluded the season on a positive trajectory, securing victories in 11 out of their last 15 games, culminating in their appearance at the Tallahassee Regional final. The Bulldogs ended with an overall record of 36-23.
Zac Selmon, the athletic director for MSU, lauded the hiring of O’Connor as a “significant advancement” for the program. Under O’Connor’s leadership, Virginia recorded five 50-win seasons and 13 seasons with at least 40 victories, resulting in a .702 career-winning percentage that is second amongst current Division I coaches.
Although Virginia had a solid performance this season, ending with a 32-18 record, they did not participate in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019. Selmon expressed confidence in O’Connor’s capabilities, stating, “Brian O’Connor stands out as one of the most acclaimed coaches in college baseball. A national champion and a Hall of Famer, he has consistently demonstrated his ability to cultivate championship-level teams. Mississippi State is poised for excellence, and Coach O’Connor has the expertise to lead us on that path to victory.”