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 given Mississippi’s four-year maximum contract length for state employees. But for a first-time AD, the effectiveness of locking in a pair of successful coaches was remarkable 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 with Selmon and football coach Zach Arnett.
“The upward trajectory for 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 have to go anywhere other than Mississippi State to be elite. “
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May also saw MSU women’s tennis coach Daryl Greenan step down after 14 years at the helm. That gives Selmon his first test of hiring a replacement.
Another decision awaits in the near future with Mississippi State baseball on the verge of a second straight year without postseason play. After winning a national championship in 2021, coach Chris Lemoni’s 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 it. One of the things I’ve had a lot of constant conversations with all of our coaches about is what those expectations are. …
“All of our coaches, our entire department knows what the expectations are for us. It’s not just being out there. Our expectations are to have a good program that develops the holistic person but also puts the winning results on the field. That’s something we will never shy away from.”
Stefan Krajisnik is the Mississippi State beat writer for the Clarion Ledger. Contact him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter @skrajisnik3.
2023-05-18 12:00:10
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