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STARKVILLE

– One of college baseball’s most tradition-rich programs is turning to one of the sport’s most decorated leaders to guide its next chapter.

Brian O’Connor, a 2024 Hall of Fame inductee and the all-time winningest coach at Virginia, has been named the 19th head baseball coach in Mississippi State history. A proven winner with 917 career victories, seven College World Series appearances and a national title, O’Connor brings a championship résumé and national credibility to Starkville.

Mississippi State will formally introduce Coach O’Connor at a public welcome event set for 7 p.m. CT on Thursday at Dudy Noble Field. Fans, supporters, letterwinners and media are invited to attend as the Diamond Dawgs officially usher in a new era. Additional details will be announced in the coming days.

O’CONNOR AT A GLANCE

• Career record: 917-388-2 (.702)
• 2015 College World Series champion
• Seven College World Series appearances
• 18 NCAA Tournament appearances
• Nine Super Regional appearances 
• Five-time ACC Coach of the Year
• Three-time National Coach of the Year
• 102 MLB Draft picks coached
• 31 MLB players developed

QUOTABLE: ATHLETICS DIRECTOR ZAC SELMON
“Brian O’Connor is one of the most respected and accomplished coaches in college baseball. He’s a national champion, a Hall of Famer, and a proven leader with a track record of building a championship-caliber program. Mississippi State is built to win at the highest level, and Coach O’Connor knows what that takes. From elite player development to consistent success on the national stage, his résumé speaks for itself. He understands the standard here and embraces the opportunity to elevate it even further. This is a defining moment for Mississippi State Baseball and a powerful step forward for our program, our players and our fans.”

QUOTABLE: HEAD BASEBALL COACH BRIAN O’CONNOR

“Mississippi State represents everything I love about college baseball — tradition, passion and a relentless pursuit of excellence. I’ve coached against this program and followed it closely for years. The atmosphere at Dudy Noble Field is nationally recognized as the best in the sport. I’m incredibly honored and grateful for the opportunity to lead a program with this kind of legacy and fan base. Mississippi State has set the standard in college baseball, and I can’t wait to get to work, build relationships and compete for championships in Starkville.”

QUOTABLE: PRESIDENT DR. MARK E. KEENUM

“At Mississippi State, we have a long tradition of success in baseball. The “M over S,” the Maroon and White, and hosting postseason in Starkville is woven into the very fabric of who we are and what we expect of our baseball program. Brian O’Connor is an elite level coach that aligns perfectly with our elite level program. His past certainly speaks for itself, but his clear understanding of the evolution and future of college baseball is clear. We are in the pursuit of championships. I am thrilled for Coach O’Connor, our student-athletes and Bulldogs everywhere as this is a historic day for Mississippi State.”

A CHAMPIONSHIP PEDIGREE

O’Connor took over the Virginia program in 2004 and quickly elevated it into a national power. In 22 seasons, he led the Cavaliers to:

• 14 straight NCAA Tournament appearances from 2004 to 2017
• Seven trips to the College World Series, including a national title in 2015 and runner-up finish in 2014
• 66 NCAA Tournament wins, tied for the fourth most in the nation from 2009 to 2024 
• Seven College World Series appearances, the second most of any program nationally since 2009
• Two ACC regular-season championships
• Two ACC Tournament titles
• Five 50-win seasons and 13 seasons with at least 40 victories

O’Connor’s seven College World Series appearances are also the third most among active NCAA head coaches. Virginia had made just three NCAA appearances before his arrival. He also became the second-fastest coach in ACC history to reach 500 career wins.

TRACK RECORD OF PLAYER DEVELOPMENT

O’Connor has built a steady pipeline of professional talent while developing high-character players prepared to succeed beyond college baseball.

•    102 MLB Draft selections (93 players), including 14 first-round selections

•    31 players reached the major leagues, including Ryan Zimmerman, Sean Doolittle and Chris Taylor

•    At least one first-round pick in five consecutive drafts from 2014 to 2018

•    Seven seasons with multiple top-two-round draft picks

•    Notable major leaguers coached include Danny Hultzen, Pavin Smith, Adam Haseley, Jake McCarthy and Andrew Abbott

Since 2004 under O’Connor, 97 Virginia players earned All-ACC honors, which is the second most among ACC programs during that span. Cavaliers also received 42 All-America honors and 25 Freshman All-America selections. O’Connor also developed three ACC Players of the Year. 

SUSTAINED EXCELLENCE

• Second among active Division I coaches in career winning percentage (.702)
• Earned his 900th win on March 29, 2024
• One of eight active Division I coaches with a national championship
• Named ACC Coach of the Decade for 2010 to 2019 by D1Baseball
• Inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2024
• One of 20 individuals to both play in and coach at the College World Series

Virginia teams under O’Connor also excelled in the classroom and were regularly honored by the NCAA for academic progress and graduation success.

BY THE NUMBERS: HITTING, PITCHING & FIELDING UNDER O’CONNOR

Hitting Excellence

• Virginia ranked top five nationally in batting average three times since 2022, including No. 3 nationally in 2024 (.333) and co-leading the nation in 2023 (.332)
• UVA finished top five in the country in slugging (.567), runs (581), and hits (752) in 2024, while also setting a program record with 116 home runs
• Led the nation in doubles (172) and hits (766) in 2023
• UVA has posted 700+ hits in a season five times, including back-to-back years in 2023 and 2024

Elite Pitching Development

• UVA has ranked top 20 nationally in ERA 12 times under O’Connor, including six top-three finishes
• The 2011 staff led the nation in ERA (2.24); the 2014 team finished No. 2 nationally (2.23)
• From 2021 to 2023, Virginia pitching staffs consistently ranked among the top in the nation: Fourth in ERA (3.81) in 2023; 14th in ERA (3.99) in 2022; 14th in ERA and 4th in strikeouts (687) in 2021
• Multiple Cavalier pitchers have gone on to MLB All-Star status, including Sean Doolittle and Danny Hultzen
• Team USA’s pitching staff posted a 2.06 ERA under O’Connor’s direction in 2018 international competition

Defensive Fundamentals

• O’Connor-built teams are known for their consistency, defensive reliability and precision on the fundamentals
• Entering the 2025 season, UVA owned the best cumulative fielding percentage in the ACC since 2004 (.973)
• The 2014 team set a school record with a .981 fielding percentage (fourth nationally)
• 10 of O’Connor’s teams have ranked among the top 40 nationally in fielding percentage

A NEW ERA IN STARKVILLE
O’Connor takes over a Mississippi State program with a proud history, a championship standard and the most passionate fan base in college baseball. The Bulldogs have made 12 College World Series appearances and captured the program’s first national championship in 2021.

Mississippi State is 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 title, the Bulldogs have long stood among the nation’s premier programs.

 

ATHENS, Ga. – Oklahoma State’s season came to an end in the NCAA Athens Regional finals Sunday night at Foley Field as the third-seeded Cowboys dropped a 3-2 contest to No. 2 seed Duke.
 
With the loss, the Cowboys concluded their season with a 30-25 mark, while Duke improved to 40-19. OSU had advanced to the Regional finals for the eighth time in 12 tournament appearances under head coach Josh Holliday by beating No. 7 national seed and host Georgia earlier in the day.
 
Against Duke, OSU took the game’s first lead in the fourth. After Nolan Schubart drew a leadoff walk, Ritchie followed and smashed a pitch over the right field wall for his fifth home run of the Regional and 14^th of the season.
 
That lead held up as Noah Wech dominated the Blue Devils’ lineup. The freshman right-hander, making only his second start of the season, worked six shutout innings and allowed just five hits while striking out five and not issuing a walk.
 
The Cowboys maintained the two-run advantage until the eighth when Duke’s A.J. Gracia homered to left-centerfield; the solo blast came off Ryan Ure and cut the Cowboys’ advantage to one.
 
After Ure gave up a hit and a walk, Mario Pesca came out of the bullpen and struck out Tyler Albright for the second out of the inning. But up next, Sam Harris singled to right-center field and both Duke runners came home to put the Blue Devils up, 3-2.
 
In the ninth, Duke’s Reid Easterly retired the Cowboys in order to secure the win.
 
OSU had three players named to the NCAA Athens Regional All-Tournament Team, with Ritchie, Schubart and Brayden Smith making the list. Ritchie hit .538 with five homers and 10 RBIs in the Cowboys’ four games, while Schubart went 7-for-14 and homered twice.
 

The High-Stakes World of College Football Recruiting

In the fiercely competitive arena of college football recruiting, securing top talent is akin to a strategic chess game, where every move counts, and financial backing can tip the scales. The 2026 recruiting class is already witnessing intense battles among powerhouse programs vying for the signatures of elite offensive tackles. Among these coveted athletes, Jackson Cantwell’s commitment to Miami has set a precedent, highlighting the critical role of financial incentives in modern recruitment.

The Financial Dynamics of Recruitment

As universities like Georgia and Miami engage in a tug-of-war for promising recruits, the influence of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals has become increasingly apparent. These financial packages often serve as decisive factors in a recruit’s decision-making process, with schools offering substantial monetary incentives to sway top prospects. Cantwell’s choice to join Mario Cristobal at Miami underscores the growing trend where financial considerations are paramount.

James Franklin and Penn State’s Financial Challenge

James Franklin, head coach of Penn State University (PSU), finds himself at a crossroads. As PSU aims to attract top-tier talent, the financial landscape presents a formidable challenge. The pressure mounts for Franklin and his team to compete with rivals who possess seemingly limitless NIL resources. The call for PSU to consider breaking the bank to secure a 5-star recruit reflects the broader struggle faced by programs that must balance financial prudence with the pursuit of excellence.

The Broader Implications

This evolving dynamic in college football recruiting raises significant questions about the future of the sport. As NIL deals become more entrenched, the disparity between programs with deep pockets and those with limited resources could widen, potentially reshaping the competitive landscape. For coaches like Franklin, the challenge lies not only in securing talent but also in navigating the ethical and financial complexities that accompany this new era.

Reflecting on the Future

As the recruiting battles intensify, the implications for college football are profound. The sport stands at a pivotal moment, where tradition meets innovation, and financial considerations increasingly influence outcomes. For Penn State and other programs, the ability to adapt and thrive in this environment will determine their success in the coming years. The journey ahead promises to be as challenging as it is exciting, with the potential to redefine the very fabric of college football.

UCLA slugger Megan Grant brought the Bruins’ season back from the brink when she drilled a game-tying, two-run home run with two outs in the top of the seventh to force extra innings in Sunday afternoon’s Women’s College World Series elimination game against Tennessee.

But in the excitement surrounded by her UCLA teammates, Grant stepped right over home plate and had to be prompted by teammate Alexis Ramirez before she actually scored the game-tying run. But after she was initially ruled safe, the Lady Vols requested an official review. Following a lengthy review by officials, Grant was ultimately ruled safe and the run counted, though it wasn’t without controversy.

“After review, the calling on the field is upheld and the run will score,” the home plate umpire announced. “The runner did miss home plate and was assisted, however that play was not reviewable according to Appendix G.”

“Appendix G” is part of the video review section of the NCAA Softball rulebook that addresses a player “leaving early” but does not include any reference to a player not touching home plate or being assisted by a teammate. Because it’s not included in the video review section, and the officials didn’t see it live but only after an official review was initiated, the run was allowed to count.

Tennessee head coach Karen Weekly spent several minutes arguing with NCAA officials on and off the field, and even threatened to file an official protest. But, because not touching home plate was not reviewable, the Lady Vols’ protest was not permitted to be filed.

Outside of the seventh-inning controversy, Sunday’s game was a back-and-forth affair for both Tennessee and UCLA. The Lady Vols got on the board first with a two-RBI single from Laura Mealer in the bottom of the first inning.

A pair of solo home runs from Ramirez and Sofia Mujica in the top of the second tied the game at 2-all until Tennessee’s Taylor Pannell drilled a two-run home run in the bottom of the fifth for a 4-2 advantage entering the final two innings of regulation.

And the Lady Vols nearly got out of it with a pair of quick outs in the top of the seventh inning. But after a single from UCLA’s Jordan Woolery, Grant hammered the first pitch she saw from Tennessee ace Karlyn Pickens over the wall in right-center for the controversial game-tying two-run shot.

Ultimately, the controversy didn’t alter the outcome. Tennessee would win after a grueling nine innings with a walk-off bases-loaded hit from Laura Mealer to advance to play Texas in the WCWS Semifinals on Monday at noon. The Lady Vols will have to beat the Longhorns twice to advance to the WCWS Finals.

Meanwhile, UCLA’s season comes to an end despite Grant’s last-inning heroics.