In a move that sent shockwaves across college baseball, Mississippi State officially hired longtime Virginia head coach Brian O’Connor on Sunday night. After two decades of sustained success in Charlottesville — including seven College World Series appearances and a national championship — O’Connor now faces a new challenge: reviving a Mississippi State program hungry for a return to Omaha.

For Mississippi State, this isn't just a coaching change. It’s an all-in investment in elite baseball.

A Bold Move by Zac Selmon

Athletic director Zac Selmon has made arguably the biggest splash of the college baseball offseason. The hiring of O’Connor signals Mississippi State’s intent to reclaim national prominence just four years after capturing its first national championship in 2021.

Sources tell On3 that Mississippi State is prepared to make O’Connor one of the highest-paid head coaches in the SEC — a clear statement of intent from a program with lofty expectations and a passionate fanbase.

But the commitment doesn’t end with O’Connor’s salary.

Record NIL Investment in Roster Building

Mississippi State is also stepping up in the evolving world of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL). Sources indicate the Bulldogs are preparing to invest approximately $1.5 million in NIL funds for the roster, in addition to $2 million in revenue share. This positions the program among the national leaders in financial commitment to player development and recruitment.

The timing is critical. With the NCAA’s House settlement still pending, schools like Mississippi State are seizing the opportunity to frontload NIL agreements before a formal clearinghouse changes the landscape.

Transfer Portal Fallout: Virginia Exodus Begins

O’Connor’s departure is already creating major ripple effects. As of Monday morning, 11 Virginia players have entered the transfer portal, many of them with "do not contact" designations — a strong indicator that they plan to follow O’Connor to Starkville. If those players do indeed transfer, Mississippi State could immediately boast one of the most talented rosters in the country.

The influx of talent, combined with O’Connor’s coaching pedigree, raises expectations that Mississippi State could make a serious push back to the College World Series — possibly as soon as next season.

Corey Muscara a Top Target for Staff

To complement the hire, Mississippi State is eyeing a big-name assistant. Wake Forest pitching coach Corey Muscara is a top target to join O’Connor’s staff. Muscara, who earned D1Baseball’s 2023 Assistant Coach of the Year honors, helped build Wake Forest’s vaunted pitching lab and has also had stints at Maryland and St. John’s.

With Wake Forest still alive in postseason play, Muscara’s future likely won’t be finalized until after their run ends. But pairing him with O’Connor would create one of the most formidable coaching duos in college baseball.

The Road Ahead

Brian O’Connor inherits a program rich in history, resources, and fan support. Mississippi State hasn’t returned to Omaha since 2021, but with a record NIL investment, a potential wave of transfer talent, and one of the sport’s top coaches at the helm, the Bulldogs appear primed for a return to national prominence.



Mississippi State isn’t just making a hire — it’s making a statement.