STARKVILLE — Justin Parker’s time as a head coach is over, at least for now. His tenure with Mississippi State’s baseball program is not.

The university announced Thursday that Parker will remain on the Bulldogs’ staff as pitching coach under recently-hired head coach Brian O’Connor.

It’s a return to the job Parker held for 2024 and most of the 2025 season under former head coach Chris Lemonis. When Lemonis was fired in late April, Parker was promoted to interim head coach and led the Bulldogs to an 11-4 record. The late surge helped them reach the NCAA Tournament.

The Bulldogs’ pitching staff finished No. 4 nationally and in the SEC this season in strikeouts per nine innings (11.8); No. 8 nationally and No. 5 in the SEC in strikeout-to-walk ratio (3.05); and No. 14 nationally and No. 6 in the SEC in WHIP (1.29).

“Justin is one of the most respected pitching minds in college baseball and he cares deeply about Mississippi State Baseball,” O’Connor said in a statement announcing the move. “He has an ability to recruit, communicate with the players and develop elite pitchers. I know Justin will put everything he has into our pitchers, both as young men and baseball players. I am excited for us to get to work.”

O’Connor was hired Sunday and was set to be introduced to fans at a rally Thursday evening in Starkville. He was lured away from Virginia after spending 22 outstanding seasons there that included one national championship and seven College World Series appearances.

Retaining Parker was one of several hires Mississippi State announced Thursday as O’Connor worked to build his coaching staff. Two of O’Connor’s assistants, Matt Kirby and Kevin McMullan, will follow him from Virginia.

McMullan was also at Virginia for 22 seasons, including the last 19 as associate head coach. He’ll have that same role with Mississippi State. McMullan was the National Assistant Coach of the Year in 2009 and 2024.

Kirby had been at Virginia for the past 14 seasons. The first 12 were as a volunteer assistant, and he was promoted to full-time assistant and recruiting coordinator in 2023. He also served as Virginia’s first base coach and specializes in coaching catchers and outfielders.

“Matt has been a steady and trusted presence throughout my time as a head coach,” O’Connor said. “He’s an elite teacher, recruiter, communicator and innovative thinker who has helped build championship teams. He will pour everything he has into Mississippi State, and I’m glad that he is joining our efforts in Starkville.”