Mississippi State Fires Head Baseball Coach Chris Lemonis

Why This Matters: The change in leadership signals a desire to return Mississippi State baseball to national prominence. The university is committed to finding a coach who can build on the program's history of success and compete for championships.

Chris Lemonis was appointed as the 18th head baseball coach at Mississippi State on June 25, 2018. During his tenure, he achieved a record of 232-135. His career record as a head coach stands at 373-226-2, including his time at Indiana University where he served as head coach prior to joining MSU.

Under Lemonis' leadership, Mississippi State made three NCAA Tournament appearances (2019, 2021, 2024), reached the College World Series twice (2019, 2021), and won the national title in 2021. Despite these achievements, the program has struggled to maintain consistency in recent years, leading to the decision for a coaching change.

Athletics Director Zac Selmon emphasized the importance of finding a leader who can embrace the program's tradition and elevate it to compete for championships. He highlighted the university's facilities, fan base, and NIL opportunities as key factors that make Mississippi State an attractive destination for coaching candidates.

Chris Lemonis was relieved of his duties due to the program not consistently meeting the standard of success expected by the university and fans.

Assistant coach Justin Parker will serve as interim head coach for the remainder of the season.

Chris Lemonis became State's 18th head baseball coach on June 25, 2018.

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