Lemonis Out at Mississippi State, Parker Named Interim Bulldog Head Coach

(photo and press release from Mississippi State Athletics)

STARKVILLE – Mississippi State Director of Athletics Zac Selmon announced Monday that Chris Lemonis has been relieved of his duties as head baseball coach effective immediately.

Lemonis was in his seventh season as the Bulldogs' head coach. A national search to identify the program's next head coach is underway. Assistant coach Justin Parker will serve as interim head coach for the remainder of the season.

"A change in leadership is what's best for the future of Mississippi State Baseball," 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.

"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."

Lemonis became State's 18th head baseball coach on June 25, 2018, and was 232-135 in his six-plus seasons. He owns a 373-226-2 career record as a head coach. Prior to MSU, he went 141-91-2 as head coach at Indiana. Under Lemonis, MSU made three NCAA Tournaments (2019, 2021, 2024), two College World Series (2019, 2021) and won the 2021 national title.

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