Virginia
What Ryan Zimmerman, others say Mississippi State can expect from Brian O’Connor
STARKVILLE – Brian O’Connor was 32 when he was hired as Virginia’s baseball coach in 2003.
He had never been a head coach and was taking over a Virginia program that had only made three NCAA Tournaments. It was also before social media and college baseball boomed into what it is today.
“There wasn’t much in the way of knowing people back then,” said Ryan Zimmerman, who played at Virgina from 2003-05 before a 17-year career with the Washington Nationals. “Obviously, he was well regarded and came in as a good baseball guy, but we really didn’t know what to expect or what it was going to be like.”
It turned into a program-changing hire for the Cavaliers, who quickly became one of the top teams in the ACC. That success was sustained for 22 years as O’Connor led the Cavaliers to 18 NCAA Tournaments, seven College World Series and one national championship.
But that run at Virginia ended when Mississippi State pried O’Connor away to be the Bulldogs’ new coach in 2026. They doubled O’Connor’s salary, and there are immediately high expectations with MSU ranked No. 6 in the preseason.
Some fans are calling 2026 the most highly anticipated season in program history before opening day against Hofstra on Feb. 13 (4 p.m., SEC Network+).
The Clarion Ledger spoke with several of O’Connor’s Virginia players to learn what makes him such a great coach, how they think he’ll do at Mississippi State and how they reacted to him leaving Virginia.
“I think he’ll do great,” said Tyler Cannon, a Virginia baseball Hall of Fame shortstop from 2007-10. “I really do. He’s an unbelievable coach, but he’s an even better leader. The guy never sleeps.”
Why Virginia players think Brian O’Connor will succeed at Mississippi State
Virginia had a 29-25 record, but placed sixth in the ACC in 2003. O’Connor quickly brought Virginia back to the NCAA Tournament in 2004 with a 44-15 record and second-place finish in the ACC.
That began a run of 14 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances.
“I think the thing with him that really separates him from other coaches is his ability to adapt and adjust,” said Stephen Schoch, a Virginia pitcher from 2020-21. “He’s not married to a system.”
Virginia won its national championship in 2015, but the team wasn’t a powerhouse from opening day to the championship. In fact, the team nearly missed the ACC Tournament but won five of its last six conference games to be a No. 7 seed in the 10-team field.
The Cavaliers were a No. 3 seed but swept the regional and then Maryland in the super regional. Virginia only lost one game throughout the entire NCAA Tournament.
“It was always the poise he showed,” said Alec Bettinger, a Virginia pitcher from 2014-17. “It’s a word he used a lot with us, especially the pitchers having poise in big situations. Not getting too high, not getting too low. I always remember in big situations, bad calls, great plays, whatever it might be, you would look at the end of the dugout and his expression didn’t change much until the job as over.”
O’Connor has had extreme continuity on his coaching staff, and brought many of his assistant coaches with him to Mississippi State.
Kevin McMullan, MSU’s new associate head coach, was at Virginia since 2003. Matt Kirby, another new MSU assistant coach, was at Virginia for 14 seasons, 12 as a volunteer assistant.
The only other members of O’Connor’s Mississippi State staff who didn’t previously work for him are pitching coach Justin Parker and data/video analytics coordinator Jonathan French.
“I think the thing that just stands out the most is the consistency and the way they treat each person whether you are supposed to be the best player on the team or whether you’re a guy that walked on,” Zimmerman said. “They do really get the best out of each and every person.”
Virginia players react to Brian O’Connor leaving for Mississippi State
O’Connor was hired on June 1, approximately one hour after the Bulldogs were eliminated by Florida State in the Tallahassee Regional final. Rumors and reports began surfacing well before then that O’Connor was likely becoming the next Mississippi State coach. Virginia’s season ended short of the NCAA Tournament on May 21.
“I had mixed feelings,” Cannon said. “Nothing against (O’Connor) whatsoever. I was just more sad about him not being in a Virginia uniform anymore is the best way to put it. But the way I look at it, I’m obviously super happy for him.”
“I think a lot of people were obviously upset,” Zimmerman said. “Kind of like I told everybody, all good things come to an end at some point. And to do what they did for 20-plus years is remarkable.”
Some of the players said they’ll use it as an opportunity to catch a game at Dudy Noble Field.
“(O’Connor) is one of my favorite people in college baseball, so seeing him go to one of the programs I really like and really want to see have success, I couldn’t be happier about that,” Schoch said.
Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@usatodayco.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
Virginia
Two dead after I-495 road rage incident leads to stabbing, Virginia State Police shooting – WTOP News
A road rage incident led to a shooting involving the Virginia State Police on Sunday on Interstate 495. Four individuals were also stabbed.
Two people are dead Sunday in Annandale, Virginia, after a road rage incident led to a shooting involving Virginia State Police on Interstate 495.
A release issued by the Virginia State Police said a trooper fatally shot a man after responding to a report of a road rage incident on the southbound lanes of I-495 just before 1:30 p.m. at exit 52, near the Little River Turnpike.
The man, transferred to a hospital with serious injuries, has been pronounced dead. VSP said the trooper shot in self-defense after the man confronted him with a knife.
The trooper did not suffer any injuries during the altercation.
Officials found four stabbing victims at the scene, but only identified a 39-year-old woman and a dog. Both the woman and the dog died.
Early findings suggest the stabbings took place after a crash on the Capital Beltway. The crash remains under investigation.
The VSP’s release comes after the main lanes of the Capital Beltway Outer Loop, before Little River Turnpike, were closed to traffic for several hours, only recently opening the express lanes. Main lanes between Arlington Boulevard and the Little River Turnpike remain closed.
Stay with WTOP for the latest developments.
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© 2026 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.
Virginia
Virginia Huffman Obituary February 27, 2026 – Ott & Lee Funeral Homes
Mary “Virginia” Huffman, 82, of Pelahatchie, Mississippi, passed away on February 27, 2026.
Born on February 28, 1943, in Morton, Mississippi, she was the daughter of Carl and Nannie Mae Bradshaw. She married the love of her life, Jimmy Lavell Huffman, on June 14, 1963, and together they built a life rooted in faith, family, and hard work. Virginia devoted nearly 50 years to teaching high school math, beginning at Morton High School and later serving at East Rankin Academy. Generations of students were shaped by her steady guidance, high expectations, and deep belief in their potential. Many would say they entered college prepared because they had learned from “Mrs. Huffman.” Her students knew the famous “Mrs. Huffman look,” but no one understood it quite like her children and grandchildren. To many, she was more than a teacher—she was a mentor, encourager, and second mother.
A faithful member of Cross Roads Baptist Church, Virginia was a true matriarch and prayer warrior whose life was anchored in her love for the Lord. She woke each morning to study the Word of God and carried that faith into every conversation, classroom, and season of life. She played piano and organ, sang in the choir, and on Sunday mornings could often be found at home practicing the piano before church—something her family dearly loved listening to. She served her church and community with quiet devotion. Whether tutoring students during the summer, helping families in need, or visiting church members, she consistently lived out a servant’s heart.
She loved farm life—raising chickens and cows, cutting hay, tending her flower beds, and cooking for the people she loved. She was especially known for her strawberry pies, egg custard, and caramel cake (see Cheryl Moore for the recipe). She faithfully attended her grandchildren’s sporting events and found her greatest joy in cheering on her family. She loved deeply and wholeheartedly, treating not only her own children and grandchildren as treasures, but embracing many others in her community as if they were her own.
She is survived by her husband, Jimmy Lavell Huffman; her children, Connie Goodman (Mike), Karen Jones, and Jade Huffman; her grandchildren, Christin (Colby) (Candace), Christopher (Victoria), Dillon, Marley, Halle (Elijah), Kyla Kate, and Eli; her great-grandchildren, Autumn, Titus, Sophia, Liam, Scarlett, Luke, and Ava; and her siblings, Paul (Joyce) and Delilah.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Nannie Mae Bradshaw; her in-laws, Clyde Sr. and Zora Huffman; her son, Scot Huffman; and her sisters, May Erving and Maxine Strong.
Virginia will be remembered as a woman of unwavering faith, steadfast strength, and extraordinary love. Her legacy lives on in the family she nurtured, the students she prepared, and the countless lives she covered in prayer.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm – until on Sunday, March 1, 2026 at Cross Roads Baptist Church in Pelahatchie and again on Monday, March 2, 2026 from 12 pm – 1 pm.
Services will be held at 1pm Monday, March 2, 2026 at Cross Roads Baptist Church with burial in the church cemetery.
Bro. John Vaughn, Bro. Gary Morris and Bro. Steven Platt will officate the services.
Pallbearers will be Tim Wolverton, Colby Boyd, Christopher Wilson, Dillon Pettigrew, Eli Huffman and Elijah Moore.
Ott and Lee Funeral Home in Morton is honored to serve the Huffman family.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Cross Roads Baptist Church Building Fund.
Virginia
Virginia Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 Night results for Feb. 28, 2026
Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win
Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.
Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
The Virginia Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at Feb. 28, 2026, results for each game:
Powerball
Powerball drawings are held Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 11 p.m.
06-20-35-54-65, Powerball: 10, Power Play: 4
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Monday, March 02, 2026
Pick 3
DAY drawing at 1:59 p.m. NIGHT drawing at 11 p.m. each day.
Night: 1-7-2, FB: 7
Day: 6-6-5, FB: 7
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 4
DAY drawing at 1:59 p.m. NIGHT drawing at 11 p.m. each day.
Night: 3-0-2-2, FB: 8
Day: 8-2-7-9, FB: 3
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 5
DAY drawing at 1:59 p.m. NIGHT drawing at 11 p.m. each day.
Night: 1-3-5-7-5, FB: 9
Day: 4-4-7-7-0, FB: 7
Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Cash Pop
Drawing times: Coffee Break 9 a.m.; Lunch Break 12 p.m.; Rush Hour 5 p.m.; Prime Time 9 p.m.; After Hours 11:59 p.m.
Coffee Break: 13
After Hours: 04
Prime Time: 10
Rush Hour: 02
Lunch Break: 07
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Cash 5
Drawing every day at 11 p.m.
04-14-16-30-39
Check Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Bank a Million
Bank a Million draws are held every Wednesday and Saturday at 11 p.m.
02-03-04-05-08-35, Bonus: 14
Check Bank a Million payouts and previous drawings here.
Millionaire for Life
Drawing everyday at 11:15 p.m.
13-20-28-44-48, Bonus: 04
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Center for Community Journalism (CCJ) editor. You can send feedback using this form.
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