CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) – Brian O’Connor is leaving Virginia baseball after 22 seasons to become the next head coach at Mississippi State University.
It ends a historic run in Charlottesville that transformed the Cavaliers into one of college baseball’s most consistent national powers.
The move was confirmed late Sunday night by Mississippi State on its athletics website, HailState.com, just hours after the Bulldogs were eliminated from the NCAA Tournament.
O’Connor’s departure had been widely rumored in the days leading up to the official announcement.
In a letter shared with the UVA team and obtained by the Cavalier Daily, he said “I have chosen to accept this opportunity because I need a new challenge and am excited about this next chapter of my life.”
He will be joined in Starkville by key members of his Virginia staff, including associate head coach Kevin McMullan and assistant coach Matt Kirby.
O’Connor’s exit marks the end of the most successful era in Virginia baseball history.
Since taking over in 2004, he led the program to 18 NCAA Tournament appearances, nine Super Regionals, and seven trips to the College World Series.
Before his arrival, Virginia had never advanced past a regional. In 2015, the Cavaliers won their first and only national title.
He departs as the program’s all-time wins leader with a 917–388–2 record and holds top marks in nearly every major statistical category, including ACC and postseason winning percentages.
More than 100 of his former players were selected in the MLB Draft, including 13 first-round picks.
Mississippi State had been searching for a new leader after parting ways with head coach Chris Lemonis.
O’Connor replaces interim coach Justin Parker, who led the Bulldogs to a 36–24 record this season before their elimination on Sunday.
In a statement released by Mississippi State, O’Connor said he was “incredibly honored and grateful for the opportunity to lead a program with this kind of legacy and fan base.”
He went on to say “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.”
Virginia finished the 2025 season with a 32–18 record and missed the NCAA Tournament for just the third time in O’Connor’s tenure.
UVA Athletics will now begin a high-profile search for a new head coach, just months after Virginia basketball replaced longtime leader Tony Bennett.
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