Mississippi State has parted ways with head baseball coach Chris Lemonis amid an underwhelming 2025 campaign.
The announcement from Zac Selmon, the university’s athletics director, comes as the Bulldogs are on pace to miss the postseason for the second time in three years. So far, Mississippi State sits at 25-19 overall with a conference record of 7-14.
Lemonis was in his seventh season as the Bulldogs’ head coach, after being hired in the summer of 2018. During his time with the historic program, he compiled a 232-135 overall record, which included three NCAA Tournament appearances (2019, 2021, 2024), two trips to the College World Series (2019, 2021), and the program’s first-ever national title (2021).
However, following the 2021 campaign, the Bulldogs began to slip. Since winning it all, Lemonis’ Bulldogs racked up a 42-69 conference record. Additionally, Dudy Noble Field has not hosted a postseason tournament in nearly four years.
Selmon issued the following statement regarding Lemonis’ firing:
“A change in leadership is what’s best for the future of Mississippi State Baseball. We have not consistently met the standard of success that our university, fans and student-athletes expect and deserve. I want to thank Coach Lemonis for his work and the time he gave to our program, including a national championship in 2021. We appreciate his efforts and wish him and his family all the best moving forward.
“In a team meeting moments ago, I expressed to our student-athletes the confidence we have in their abilities and the potential they have for the remainder of the season. I encouraged them to compete with pride, resilience, and intensity. With the hard work, preparation, and talent already within this group, we are committed to putting them in the best position to finish the season competing at the highest level.
“Mississippi State is the premier job in college baseball. The tradition, the facilities, the NIL offerings and the fan base are all second to none. Dudy Noble Field is the best environment in the sport, period.
“This program is built for success. Our history proves it, and our future demands it. We are one of only four programs in NCAA history to reach the College World Series in six consecutive decades. With 40 NCAA Tournament appearances, 12 trips to Omaha, 11 SEC regular season titles, and a national championship, our program has always been a national contender. That is the bar. We’re going to find a leader who will embrace that, elevate our program and compete for championships.”
Pitching coach Justin Parker, who was hired by Lemonis ahead of the 2024 season, will serve as interim frontman for the remainder of the year. A national search has begun to reel in the program’s next head coach.
Mississippi State will continue its current season against Kentucky this weekend. Super Bulldog Weekend will also be underway in Starkville.
