Skip to main content
mississippi-state logo

Head coach Chris Lemonis out at Mississippi State

3rupauk8_400x400by:Robbie Faulk•04/28/25•

RobbieFaulkOn3

Chris Lemonis, Mississippi State
Chris Lemonis, Mississippi State - © Bruce Newman/Special to the Clarion Ledger / USA TODAY NETWORK

After seven seasons at the helm, Mississippi State baseball coach Chris Lemonis has been relieved of his duties.

Sources told Maroon and White Daily that, effective immediately, Lemonis will no longer hold his post as the head baseball coach. The University confirmed the move and stated that pitching coach Justin Parker will take over as the Interim Head Coach.

“A change in leadership is what’s best for the future of Mississippi State Baseball,” Director of Athletics Zac Selmon said. “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.”

A National Championship coach, Lemonis finished his tenure in Starkville 232-135 with a 82-89 record in SEC play. He delivered the Diamond Dawgs the first national title in the school’s history, regardless of sport, and went to the College World Series in his first two opportunities in 2019 and 2021.

Lemonis went 114-37 with a 40-20 record in SEC play his first two seasons, but it would be the following four years that would end the coach’s time at State. Over the last four seasons, Lemonis had a record of 118-98 and was just 42-69 in conference play. He missed postseason in 2022 and ’23 after delivering consecutive nine-win SEC tenures.

Last season, there was a return to normalcy as the coach led the Bulldogs to the Regionals again with a 40-23 mark and a 17-13 record in conference play as the team was on the verge of hosting a Regional in Starkville. After having 11 players drafted, he has not been able to sustain that and the Diamond Dawgs are currently 7-14 in SEC play with just three weeks remaining.

MSU has lost consecutive SEC series after dropping two of three to Florida and, most recently, No. 11 Auburn. State also lost a 7-5 lead in the ninth inning against rival Ole Miss and dropped the Governor’s Cup last Tuesday.

The coach’s legacy at State consists of being the first to host the national championship trophy in Omaha, Neb., but the Bulldogs couldn’t take advantage of that success. He leaves State with 373 career wins after coming to MSU in 2018 after four years as the Indiana coach with three Regional appearances.

Selmon has begun a search for the next head coach immediately as the Bulldogs look to return to national prominence.

“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,” Selmon said.

“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.”

You may also like