STARKVILLE — John Cohen, the 2016 Southeastern Conference Coach of the Year who guided Mississippi State baseball to its first SEC regular season championship since 1989, has signed a four-year contract extension through 2020 as head coach of the Diamond Dawgs, Director of Athletics Scott Stricklin announced  Friday.

“I am grateful for every opportunity here at Mississippi State,” Cohen said. “It’s been a tremendous journey so far, and I am excited about our future as we strive for more championships.”
In addition, Cohen has added the title of Associate Athletic Director.

“In addition to being a successful baseball coach, John has been a valued resource for our entire department in my six years as Athletic Director,” Stricklin said. “John’s focus will remain on coaching Bulldog Baseball, but because of his passion for Mississippi State, he will also be an invaluable asset to the administrative team on issues that directly impact our student-athletes and coaches.”

Cohen has led the Bulldogs to NCAA postseason play in five out of the last six seasons, including three NCAA Super Regional appearances and a program-record runner-up finish at the 2013 College World Series.

Cohen’s team celebrated the program’s 11th SEC regular season title and the MSU Athletic Department’s first since 2004 following a three-game sweep of Arkansas in May. The special season saw the Diamond Dawgs secure the program’s first NCAA national seed (No. 6), sweeping the NCAA Starkville Regional and reaching Super Regional play for the second time in three years.

MSU continues to be a pipeline to the pros under the leadership of Cohen, who has produced 35 Major League Draft picks in Starkville, including 13 within the top 10 rounds.