What AD Zac Selmon said about Mississippi State baseball, extending basketball coaches
JACKSON — Mississippi State athletics director Zac Selmon, who was hired to replace John Cohen in January, made his first splash this month when he gave men’s basketball coach Chris Jans a raise and contract extension. A few days later, he did the same with women’s basketball coach Sam Purcell.
Fresh off a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances, the moves came as no surprise with Mississippi’s maximum contract length sitting at four years for state employees. But for a first-time AD, the efficiency in locking up a pair of successful coaches was noteworthy with MSU looking to build its brand in basketball.
He discussed the moves Tuesday at the Country Club of Jackson − the latest stop on MSU's Road Dawgs Tour featuring Selmon and football coach Zach Arnett.
“The upward trajectory of both Coach Jans and Coach Purcell – it's special what they did in Year 1,” Selmon said. “I know they’re just getting started. I want to make sure we’re always going to be proactive in what we do for our coaches … We really want to make sure you don’t need to go anywhere else besides Mississippi State to be elite.”
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May also saw MSU women’s tennis coach Daryl Greenan resign after 14 years at the helm. That gives Selmon his first test of hiring a replacement.
Another decision looms in the near future with Mississippi State baseball on the verge of a second consecutive year with no postseason play. After winning a national championship in 2021, coach Chris Lemonis’ squad enters this weekend’s series against Texas A&M with 17 SEC wins in two years.
“We’re not Little League sports,” Selmon said. “This is the best conference in America. I think all of our coaches come here because they embrace that. One of the things I’ve had a lot of constant conversation with all of our coaches about is what those expectations are. …
“All of our coaches, all of our department knows what the expectations are for us. It’s not just to be out there. Our expectations are to have a great program that develops the holistic person but also puts the winning results on the field. That’s something we’ll never shy away from.”
Stefan Krajisnik is the Mississippi State beat writer for the Clarion Ledger. Contact him at skrajisnik@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter @skrajisnik3.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Zac Selmon: AD talks Mississippi State baseball, basketball extensions
