Virginia

What Ryan Zimmerman, others say Mississippi State can expect from Brian O’Connor

Published

4 weeks ago

February 9, 2026

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_.

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Virginia

Northern Virginia security company helps evacuate nearly 4,000 amid Iran war

Published

12 hours ago

March 7, 2026

Press Room

Northern Virginia security company helps evacuate nearly 4,000 amid Iran war

FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. (7News) — As the war in Iran stretches toward a week, evacuations out of the region continue, including efforts coordinated by a Northern Virginia-based security company that has helped move nearly 4,000 people out of the Middle East.

Global Guardian has assisted people in evacuating at least 15 countries through a combination of charter and commercial flights, according to Colin O’Brien, the company’s deputy vice president of operations. Most of them are Americans, he said.

ALSO SEE | Middle East expert says uncertain future in Iran could be just as dangerous

“The primary objective is to get them out of the Middle East, to move them to places where they have freedom of movement, where there are pre-existing commercial airline options — so places like Western Europe, Turkey, Cairo, where I have major functioning international airports that have yet to be affected by this crisis,” O’Brien explained. “And then from there, we can take our time. We can get the right plane ticket, and we can send them home.”

Meanwhile, airports, including Dulles, are experiencing some flight cancellations and delays from the Middle East.

7News was at baggage claim as people returned to America, greeting loved ones with hugs.

One man who wished to remain anonymous spoke with 7News while waiting for his daughter and grandchildren to return from the Middle East, where his son-in-law is stationed in the military.

READ ALSO | Capitol Hill grapples with Iran strategy, war powers

He said he is grateful to have them home, but it’s bittersweet because his son-in-law is still over there amid the conflict.

A woman who arrived Thursday afternoon told 7News she’s grateful to be away from potential danger but feels sorry for those who can’t leave.

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13News Now

Published

24 hours ago

March 6, 2026

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13News Now (WVEC) is made up of storytellers, innovators, content creators, and idea generators. We stand for passion. Passion for our people, passion in our product, and above all- passion in our community. We value honesty, accuracy, and solutions. We serve as the local ABC affiliate for Hampton Roads. We strive for interaction with our audience and are constantly working on our presentation so that you have the best experience when consuming our products. Whether on air, online, or on the go- we are everywhere you go. Digitally we lead the market by more than a million actions over our nearest competitor. Join the conversation with us, help us tell the Stories of Now.

About our parent company TEGNA- TEGNA Inc. (NYSE: TGNA) is an innovative media company that serves the greater good of our communities. With 46 television stations in 38 markets, TEGNA delivers relevant content and information to consumers across platforms.

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Virginia Tech women overcome slow start to rally past Georgia Tech in ACC Tournament opener

Published

1 day ago

March 6, 2026

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Virginia Tech women overcome slow start to rally past Georgia Tech in ACC Tournament opener

DULUTH, Ga. (WDBJ/Hokie Sports) – Sixth-seeded Virginia Tech fought back from a 14-point deficit late in the first quarter, rallying for a 62-54 victory over No. 11 seed Georgia Tech in the second round of the 2026 Ally ACC Women’s Tournament Thursday evening.

The Hokies, who move to 23-8 overall on the season, earned their first ACC Tournament victory in the Megan Duffy era. Tech moves on to the quarterfinal round for the first time since 2024.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Virginia Tech faced a four-point deficit until Leila Wells (7:15) stepped up for a three-pointer to keep the Hokies within reach early. Her triple would be Tech’s only field goal until the final 40 seconds of the opening quarter. Carleigh Wenzel provided a late spark for the Hokies, getting down the lane (0:40) and hitting a basket (0:18) in the final minute to stop the run, but Georgia Tech carried a 17–7 lead into the second quarter.

Playing inspired, the Hokies sprinted out of the break for five straight points with layups from Samyha Suffren (9:50) and Mackenzie Nelson (9:28), along with a make at the stripe from Wenzel, to close to 17-12 at the 8:12 mark. The momentum continued to swing in Tech’s favor as it ripped off 15 straight points, a run ignited by Suffren’s (7:44) fast-break lay-in and capped by a Carys Baker (1:33) triple to give the Hokies a 27-19 lead. Free throws closed out the half for both sides as Virginia Tech headed into the locker room with a 29-23 edge. The Hokies forced six turnovers in the second period, scoring 10 points off the Yellow Jackets’ miscues.

Both sides traded baskets to kick off the second half before Tech knocked down consecutive makes from beyond the arc, the first from Wells (8:31) and the second from Nelson (7:59), to stretch the advantage to double figures, 37-27. It remained a back-and-forth game until Baker’s free throws with 3:35 remaining in the period gave the Hokies their largest lead of the contest at 48-37. Georgia Tech closed out the frame scoring six unanswered as the margin narrowed to 50-46 in favor of Tech at the end of the third.

The Yellow Jackets’ run continued into the fourth quarter as the score moved to 50-48 at the 9:26 mark. Virginia Tech rattled off seven consecutive points, including a three-pointer from Wenzel (7:08), to push ahead by nine with 4:44 remaining, 57-48. Suffren pulled up for a jumper outside the paint with just over a minute left in the contest, but Georgia Tech finished with a layup at the buzzer as Virginia Tech closed out the 62-54 victory.

GAME NOTES

Virginia Tech won their first game as a six-seed in the ACC Tournament (1-0) and first against Georgia Tech (1-2) in program history
The Hokies have now won four of their last five opening contests in the conference tournament
Tech also earned their first ACC Tournament victory in the Megan Duffy era
Virginia Tech controlled the glass, 41-36
The Hokies held the Yellow Jackets to six points in the second quarter, matching the fewest by an opponent in a quarter this season (last versus Loyola MD on Nov. 9, 2025)
Guard Carleigh Wenzel paced Tech in scoring with 15 points for her 15th-straight game in double figures
Redshirt sophomore Mackenzie Nelson followed with a near double-double of 14 points and a career-high nine rebounds
Nelson also tallied six assists, two assists, one block, and committed zero turnovers
Guard Leila Wells put together eight points and a career-best six rebounds in 15 minutes of action
Samyha Suffren registered her career-best five assists

UP NEXT

Virginia Tech advances to the Quarterfinal Round of the 2026 Ally ACC Women’s Basketball Tournament Friday, March 6 against third-seeded North Carolina at 7:30 p.m. on ACC Network.

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