Seismic Shift in Starkville: Mississippi State Officially Parts Ways with National Championship Coach Chris Lemonis—Targets Auburn’s Butch Thompson to Lead Ambitious Rebuild of Faltering SEC Baseball Giant
Mississippi State University has officially ended its partnership with head baseball coach Chris Lemonis, a decision that sends shockwaves across the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and the college baseball world at large. Lemonis, once hailed as a program savior after leading the Bulldogs to their historic first NCAA National Championship in 2021, now finds himself on the outside of a program he once took to the pinnacle of collegiate success.
This abrupt departure comes on the heels of back-to-back disappointing seasons, during which the Bulldogs failed to meet the lofty expectations set by their championship pedigree. Inconsistent pitching, recruiting concerns, and underwhelming SEC performances ultimately eroded the goodwill Lemonis had built, forcing Mississippi State athletic leadership to make the difficult call. Despite his 2019 SEC Coach of the Year title and the glory of 2021, the Bulldogs’ trajectory has dipped far enough to warrant what the administration is calling a “reset” of the program.
In the aftermath, all eyes have turned toward Auburn head coach Butch Thompson — a name that resonates deeply in Starkville. Thompson served as Mississippi State’s pitching coach and associate head coach from 2009 to 2015. During his tenure, he was instrumental in developing one of the top pitching staffs in the nation and played a key role in the Bulldogs’ run to the College World Series final in 2013. His impact earned him National Assistant Coach of the Year honors in 2014, solidifying his legacy as one of college baseball’s premier developers of talent.
Since taking the helm at Auburn in 2016, Thompson has built the Tigers into a perennial contender. Under his guidance, Auburn has reached the College World Series twice (2019 and 2022) and maintained a competitive presence in the unforgiving SEC landscape. His deep recruiting connections in the South, reputation for pitcher development, and familiarity with Mississippi State’s culture and fanbase make him a leading candidate to lead the Bulldogs’ resurgence.
For Mississippi State, this potential hire is about more than familiarity—it’s about reigniting a program that once defined SEC excellence. The Bulldog faithful have expressed growing support for Thompson’s return, seeing him as someone who understands both the pressure and passion that come with the maroon and white.
Though no official offer has been made, sources within college baseball circles indicate Mississippi State is prepared to aggressively pursue Thompson. Should Auburn lose its head coach, it would trigger ripple effects across the conference, setting off a domino effect of coaching changes.
Mississippi State is not just looking for a coach—it’s searching for a rebuilder, a culture shaper, and a motivator who can reignite the flame of a once-dominant program. Butch Thompson may very well be that man. As the Bulldogs look to the future, the next chapter in their baseball story hinges on who holds the pen—and all signs point toward Starkville calling Thompson home.
