Chris Lemonis has made a significant midseason move for the Mississippi State Bulldogs.

Lemonis parted ways with pitching coach Scott Foxhall as the team this season is 24-20, and 6-15 in the SEC. Foxhall was the 2021 ABCA Assistant Coach of the Year and in his 29th season in college baseball and 5th year on the Mississippi State baseball staff. During his career, he has made 10 NCAA Tournament appearances, including 6 straight trips to the NCAA Regional round.

But this season, the Bulldogs have a league-worst 6.62 ERA this season, and have allowed the most runs in the SEC at 321.

“While this is a difficult decision because of the tremendous respect I have for Scott as a person and a coach, it is in the best interest of our program,” Lemonis said in a statement. “I want to thank Scott for his contributions to Mississippi State over the last five years, and I am appreciative of all he’s devoted to our program. He has played a significant role on our staff during his time here, including helping us win a College World Series Championship. I sincerely wish Scott and his family the absolute best in the future.”

Lemonis added that Mississippi State is the premier program in college baseball and the expectations are to be the gold standard of the sport.

“That has and will always be true,” he said. “No one is satisfied with the results since our run to a national title not long ago. Starting with me as the leader of our program, I can assure you we are going to continue to work, prepare and compete as hard as possible to put a product on the field that meets the standard of Mississippi State Baseball.”