Originally Posted by
Matt3467
For fun this what Grok (AI) thinks:
Since there are no publicly available betting odds for the next Mississippi State baseball coach as of my last update, I’ll provide a speculative analysis based on available information from web sources and posts on X, combined with my own reasoning. Mississippi State fired Chris Lemonis on April 28, 2025, and the search for a new head coach is ongoing, with Athletic Director Zac Selmon emphasizing a desire for a "splash hire" to restore the program’s prominence. Below, I’ll list potential candidates, assign speculative odds based on their fit, and include my own take on the situation.
Speculative Odds for Mississippi State Baseball Coach
These odds are not based on bookmaker data but are my estimates derived from the likelihood of each candidate being selected, considering their track record, connections to Mississippi State, and the program’s goals.
Brian O’Connor (Virginia) - 15% (6.67/1)
Why? O’Connor is a high-profile name with a stellar resume, including a 2015 national championship and seven College World Series (CWS) appearances with Virginia. Sources indicate he’s a person of interest for Mississippi State, and the program’s resources and fanbase could lure him despite his long tenure at Virginia.
Pros: Proven winner, national championship pedigree, and experience in a competitive conference (ACC). Mississippi State’s financial commitment (potentially matching or exceeding Lemonis’ $1.325M salary) could be appealing.
Cons: O’Connor has deep roots at Virginia (22 years), and leaving for another program, even a prestigious one like MSU, might be a tough sell unless he’s seeking a new challenge.
My Take: O’Connor would be a true splash hire, rivaling Texas’ hiring of Jim Schlossnagle. However, his long-term commitment to Virginia and lack of direct Mississippi ties make this a long shot, though not impossible given MSU’s resources.
Butch Thompson (Auburn) - 20% (5/1)
Why? Thompson, an Aberdeen, Mississippi native, served as MSU’s pitching coach from 2009-15, contributing to a 2013 CWS runner-up finish. He’s led Auburn to two CWS appearances (2019, 2022) and has the Tigers ranked No. 8 in 2025. His Mississippi roots and prior success in Starkville make him a fan favorite.
Pros: Strong SEC experience, familiarity with MSU’s program, and a track record of building competitive teams. His local ties could energize the fanbase.
Cons: Auburn is a strong program, and leaving a successful SEC job for another might require significant incentives. His loyalty to Auburn could be a hurdle.
My Take: Thompson feels like the most logical choice due to his MSU history and SEC success. He’d be a homecoming hire, but Auburn’s recent investment in him (new contract after 2022) might make negotiations tricky.
Wes Johnson (Georgia) - 18% (5.56/1)
Why? Johnson was MSU’s pitching coach in 2016, helping win an SEC title. In just two seasons at Georgia, he’s led the Bulldogs to a Super Regional and has them on track for a national seed in 2025. His pitching expertise and portal recruiting skills are notable.
Pros: Recent MSU connection, proven ability to elevate programs quickly, and familiarity with SEC competition. His move from LSU to Georgia shows he’s open to new challenges.
Cons: Georgia is a top-tier job, and Johnson’s short tenure there (since 2023) might mean he’s not ready to jump again so soon.
My Take: Johnson’s rapid success at Georgia and prior MSU stint make him a strong candidate. He’s a rising star, but I wonder if MSU might prioritize a more established name for a bigger splash.
Nick Mingione (Kentucky) - 15% (6.67/1)
Why? Mingione was an assistant at MSU from 2006-13, contributing to the 2013 CWS finals and 2016 SEC title. He’s transformed Kentucky into a consistent contender, reaching the 2024 CWS. His long history with MSU makes him a natural fit.
Pros: Deep ties to Starkville, SEC head coaching experience, and a proven track record of building a program from scratch at Kentucky.
Cons: Mingione’s success at Kentucky (new stadium, recent CWS appearance) might make him reluctant to leave unless MSU offers a significant upgrade.
My Take: Mingione’s emotional connection to MSU could sway him, but his commitment to Kentucky, where he’s built a legacy, might outweigh nostalgia. He’s a safe, popular choice but not the flashiest.
Erik Bakich (Clemson) - 12% (8.33/1)
Why? Bakich led Michigan to the 2019 CWS finals and has Clemson trending toward a national seed in 2025. His ability to build winners at multiple programs makes him a high-profile target.
Pros: Postseason success, experience across different programs, and a reputation as a program builder. MSU’s resources could appeal over Clemson’s.
Cons: Clemson is a strong ACC job, and Bakich’s recent success there might make him hesitant to move unless MSU offers a massive deal.
My Take: Bakich is a dark horse but a realistic splash hire. His lack of Mississippi ties might make him less appealing to fans compared to Thompson or Mingione, but his resume is undeniable.
Skip Johnson (Oklahoma) - 10% (10/1)
Why? Johnson led Oklahoma to the 2022 CWS and was at the school during Zac Selmon’s tenure there. His associate head coach, Reggie Willits, also has MSU interest, but Johnson’s head coaching experience stands out.
Pros: CWS experience, Oklahoma connection with Selmon, and a solid track record. Could be a bold hire from outside the SEC.
Cons: Oklahoma’s recent success and lack of Mississippi ties might make this a tougher sell. Less flashy than SEC names like Thompson or O’Connor.
My Take: Johnson’s Oklahoma connection with Selmon is intriguing, but he feels like a fallback option if bigger names decline. His CWS run is a plus, but he’s not the splashiest hire.
Cliff Godwin (East Carolina) - 8% (12.5/1)
Why? Godwin, a former assistant at Vanderbilt, LSU, and Ole Miss, has built East Carolina into a mid-major powerhouse with multiple super regional appearances. An X post from April 9, 2025, predicted he’d be MSU’s coach for 2026.
Pros: Proven mid-major success, SEC assistant experience, and a reputation as a top coach ready for a Power 4 job.
Cons: No head coaching experience in a major conference, which might not align with MSU’s “splash hire” goal. Less proven than SEC candidates.
My Take: Godwin’s a fan favorite on X, but I’m skeptical he’s the top choice. He’d be a riskier hire compared to proven SEC coaches, though his upside is high.
Tom Walter (Wake Forest) - 7% (14.29/1)
Why? Walter has built Wake Forest into an ACC contender, reaching the 2023 CWS. Sources suggest he could be interested in MSU’s resources.
Pros: Sustainable success at a resource-constrained program, CWS experience, and potential to thrive with MSU’s budget.
Cons: Wake Forest’s recent success might keep him in place, and he lacks SEC or Mississippi ties.
My Take: Walter’s an under-the-radar candidate who could surprise, but his lack of regional connections makes him less likely than Thompson or Mingione.
Other (Field) - 15% (6.67/1)
Why? Other names like Dan Heefner (Dallas Baptist), Chris Pollard (Duke), Christian Ostrander (Southern Miss), or assistants like Josh Elander (Tennessee) have been mentioned. An unexpected hire, possibly a rising assistant or mid-major coach, is always possible.
My Take: The field accounts for the unpredictability of coaching searches. Selmon’s history of hiring first-time head coaches (e.g., Jeff Lebby) suggests he might take a chance on a rising star like Elander or a mid-major coach like Ostrander if bigger names fall through.
My Speculation
Mississippi State’s job is one of the best in college baseball, with a $55M stadium, top attendance records, and significant NIL resources. Selmon’s track record suggests he values familiarity (e.g., hiring Lebby from Oklahoma) and isn’t afraid to give first-time head coaches a shot. However, the emphasis on a “splash hire” points to a proven head coach with CWS experience, likely from the SEC or a comparable Power 4 program.
Top Pick: I lean toward Butch Thompson as the most likely hire. His Mississippi roots, prior success as an MSU assistant, and current success at Auburn make him a perfect fit. He checks the boxes for both familiarity and splash potential, and his return to Starkville would resonate with fans. However, if Selmon swings big, Brian O’Connor could be the home run hire, though prying him from Virginia is a tall order.
Dark Horse: Josh Elander, Tennessee’s assistant, is a name to watch. At 34, he’s a rising star who helped Tennessee win the 2024 national title. Selmon’s willingness to hire unproven head coaches could make Elander a bold, forward-thinking choice, especially if top SEC coaches stay put.
Wild Card Scenario: If Selmon taps his Oklahoma connections again, Skip Johnson or even Reggie Willits could emerge, though Willits’ lack of head coaching experience makes him less likely. Alternatively, a mid-major coach like Cliff Godwin could gain traction if fan sentiment on X influences the search.
Caveats
The search is still in its early stages, and no clear frontrunner has emerged publicly. Names like Tony Vitello (Tennessee) are considered unrealistic.
Mississippi State’s financial muscle (potentially exceeding $1.325M in salary) and fan support make it a top-tier job, but competition from other SEC openings or coaches’ loyalty to current programs could complicate things.
I couldn’t access the VIP posts from Bulldawgs247 or ScoutSteveR, which might contain more specific rumors.
If you want me to dig deeper into a specific candidate or check for updates closer to the hiring decision (likely in June), let me know
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