Mississippi State Coaching Profile: Candidates To Replace Chris Lemonis
Image credit: Mississippi State athletic director Zac Selmon (Photo by Chris McDill/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
On Monday, Mississippi State made the stunning decision to fire head baseball coach Chris Lemonis before the conclusion of his seventh season at the helm, ending a tenure that once appeared destined to become one of the SEC’s best.
Lemonis’ time in Starkville began with great promise. He led the Bulldogs to back-to-back College World Series appearances in 2019 and 2021, culminating in Mississippi State’s first national championship in program history. However, the momentum did not last, as the Bulldogs struggled to maintain their place among the SEC’s best with a last-place finish in 2022, another missed postseason in 2023 and growing inconsistency in 2025.
Mississippi State, a program widely regarded as one of the crown jewels of college baseball, now finds itself at a pivotal crossroads.
The job remains one of the most attractive in the country thanks to its rich tradition, passionate fanbase and the extensive resources it can offer to compete at the highest level. That appeal is only expected to strengthen further, as Mississippi State leadership appears motivated to usher in a new era of success.
Financially, the Bulldogs are positioned to make a strong investment. Lemonis was set to earn $1.325 million in 2025, and he was the 11th-highest paid coach in college baseball last year, according to Front Office Sports. His salary was split between a state contract and Bulldog Club contributions. Sources indicate Mississippi State is willing to approach–or exceed–that figure if necessary to land a splash hire. Lemonis’ salary ranked seventh in the SEC last year, which includes Tennessee’s Tony Vitello’s $3 million raise and Jim Schlossnagle’s active salary of $1 million annually until it raises to $2.68 million in his third year at Texas.
Nonetheless, the mission is clear: find the right leader to return Mississippi State to Omaha and national prominence.
Below you’ll find Baseball America’s list of potential Mississippi State coaching candidates.
Editor’s note: This list has been updated to reflect new intel regarding Mississippi State’s coaching search.
Wes Johnson, Head Coach, Georgia
In just two seasons, Johnson has turned Georgia into one of the SEC’s most dangerous and efficient teams. Since taking over in Athens, he’s led the Bulldogs to a Super Regional appearance in year one and has them on track for a national seed in year two. Johnson’s 78-28 overall mark puts him just one win shy of tying the school’s record for victories by a head coach in his first two seasons. Known for his pitching expertise and sharp portal recruiting, Johnson has shown a unique ability to rapidly modernize and energize a program. He’s no stranger to Starkville either, as he served as Mississippi State’s pitching coach in 2016 before stops with Arkansas, MLB with the Twins and LSU. Johnson signed a contract extension that runs through 2030 and pays him $1 million annually, which could complicate a potential move. But his proven ability to build elite rosters and win quickly makes him a compelling option if Mississippi State chooses to prioritize immediate impact.
Tom Walter, Head Coach, Wake Forest
Walter has built one of the most consistently successful programs in the ACC at Wake Forest, succeeding despite recruiting resources that lag behind some of his conference peers. Now in his 16th season in Winston-Salem, Walter is closing in on 500 career wins and has guided the program to five NCAA Tournament appearances, including a trip to Omaha in 2023. Walter’s formula has proven sustainable even without the advantages that come with coaching at a traditional powerhouse. Mississippi State’s elevated resources and financial commitment could open the door for Walter to bring his system to college baseball’s biggest stage. Sources have indicated to Baseball America that Walter could be interested in the position.
Chris Pollard, Head Coach, Duke
Pollard has built Duke into one of the ACC’s steadiest programs, transforming the Blue Devils into a consistent regional and super regional contender. In nearly 14 seasons at the helm, he’s compiled a 409-289 record, leading Duke to three super regional appearances—the only ones in program history since the NCAA expanded to a 64-team tournament format in 1999. Pollard is the winningest coach in Duke history and has a reputation for developing depth and maximizing roster potential. Although he has no direct SEC ties, a move to Mississippi State would offer him the chance to coach at a school where baseball is a priority on a different level.
Skip Johnson, Head Coach, Oklahoma
Johnson’s connection to Mississippi State athletic director Zac Selmon, who worked in Oklahoma’s athletic department when Johnson was promoted to head coach in 2018, makes him a natural name to watch. Johnson led the Sooners to a runner-up finish at the 2022 College World Series and has established Oklahoma as a steady winner, blending player development with strong pitching acumen that is well-regarded even beyond college baseball circles. Last summer, Oklahoma rewarded him with a contract extension through 2029, meaning a buyout north of $2 million would be required. Still, Johnson’s proven success and familiarity with Selmon could keep him squarely in the mix if Mississippi State decides to take a huge swing.
Dan Fitzgerald, Head Coach, Kansas
Fitzgerald has quickly revitalized Kansas baseball, pushing the Jayhawks toward NCAA Tournament contention just three years into his tenure. Known for his aggressive junior college recruiting strategy and keen talent evaluation, Fitzgerald has built Kansas into a competitive Big 12 program despite limited historical success and extremely limited resources, even relative to some of his Big 12 competition. Before his time in Lawrence, Fitzgerald served as an assistant at LSU under Jay Johnson and was a key recruiter at Dallas Baptist under Dan Heefner, experiences that have given him a strong understanding of the SEC’s demands as well as a feel for the recruiting landscape he could ultimately be dealing with. Mississippi State would represent a significant jump for Fitzgerald, but his rapid success at Kansas and SEC familiarity make him a very intriguing possibility.
Nick Mingione, Head Coach, Kentucky
Mingione has longstanding ties to Mississippi State, having served as an assistant on John Cohen’s staff before taking the head job at Kentucky. In Lexington, he has led the Wildcats to new heights, capturing a share of the SEC regular-season title and guiding the program to its first-ever trip to Omaha in 2024. Mingione is under a contract structure at Kentucky that triggers automatic one-year extensions with each NCAA Tournament appearance, but Mississippi State’s emotional pull and the opportunity to coach at a place with deeper baseball roots and markedly improved recruiting resources could be compelling. If the Bulldogs prioritize familiarity and SEC experience, Mingione figures to be a serious option.
Rob Vaughn, Head Coach, Alabama
Vaughn has rapidly stabilized Alabama following the tumultuous departure of Brad Bohannon, compiling a 68-34 record in two seasons and positioning the Crimson Tide for another postseason run, which could include host status this year. At just 37 years old, Vaughn is one of the fastest-rising young coaches in the country, earning praise for his player development skills and steady leadership. His immediate success in the SEC, combined with his age and upside, could make him an attractive target if Mississippi State is seeking a long-term builder rather than a short-term fix. Though, Vaughn has proven that he can win fast, too.
Marc Rardin, Head Coach, Western Kentucky
Rardin has led one of the best turnaround stories of 2025, taking Western Kentucky into the national rankings and keeping the Hilltoppers squarely in the bubble conversation with a 34-10 overall record. Before arriving in Bowling Green, Rardin built a powerhouse junior college program at Iowa Western, winning multiple national titles. Although he lacks Power 4 coaching experience since 2000, Rardin’s winning pedigree and player development reputation could appeal to Mississippi State if it chooses to look outside power conference pipelines.
Christian Ostrander, Head Coach, Southern Miss
Ostrander has deep ties to Mississippi baseball and helped build one of the state’s most consistent winners over the past decade, first as pitching coach and now as head coach at Southern Miss. With far fewer resources than his SEC neighbors, Ostrander’s reputation for development and in-game acumen is well established, and it’s hard not to wonder what he could accomplish with the backing and infrastructure of a place like Mississippi State. His regional knowledge and connections would also give him a strong recruiting footprint immediately. The main question is experience, as Ostrander is in just his second full season as a Division I head coach, and Mississippi State may prefer a candidate with a longer track record in the big chair. Still, given his success, fit and regional ties, he makes a whole lot of sense as a potential option.
Reggie Willits, Assistant Coach, Oklahoma
Willits has earned a reputation as one of the top assistant coaches in college baseball, bringing major league experience and a strong player development background to Oklahoma’s dugout. Like Johnson, Willits has ties to Selmon from their time together at Oklahoma. While multiple sources told Baseball America they view it as unlikely Mississippi State would hire a current assistant to lead its program, Willits would be among the top names if the Bulldogs went that route.
Nolan Cain, Associate Head Coach, Texas
Cain has quietly become one of the sport’s most respected assistants, playing a key role in building elite rosters at LSU, Texas A&M and now Texas, where he serves as the associate head coach for the nation’s top-ranked team. Cain’s recruiting prowess and years of experience under Jim Schlossnagle give him strong credibility, and he is seen as a future head coach at a major program. Like Willits, Cain would be a longshot this cycle, but he is someone athletic directors are monitoring closely.
Justin Parker, Interim Head Coach, Mississippi State
Parker was elevated to interim head coach following Lemonis’ dismissal and will have an opportunity—however narrow—to play his way into the conversation. Mississippi State sits at 7-14 in SEC play but still has weekend series remaining against Kentucky, Ole Miss and Missouri, plus the SEC Tournament, leaving a slim but real path to an NCAA Tournament berth if the Bulldogs can mount a late-season surge. A respected pitching coach with SEC experience, Parker would offer continuity and familiarity within the program. While sources have indicated it is highly unlikely Mississippi State ultimately hires a non-head coach for this search, it would be unfair to completely rule out Parker if he can author a miraculous postseason run.
