Thompson, Mingione see baseball staff promotions
Last Friday, Mississippi State University baseball head coach John Cohen announced promotions for two members of the MSU baseball coaching staff.
Pitching coach Butch Thompson is being promoted to associate head coach, while coordinator of camps Nick Mingione will become a full-time assistant coach. The staff changes are effective July 1.
Thompson, in his fourth season on Cohen's Mississippi State staff, directed the development of Bulldog pitchers who compiled the nation's second-best staff earned run average in 2012 (2.58). It ranked as the best mark in the Southeastern Conference and the lowest staff ERA at Mississippi State since 1974.
The Bulldogs rode that pitching to a 40-24 record, including a championship-clinching 5-1 run in the 2012 SEC Baseball Tournament last month in Hoover, Ala., and the school's 32nd berth in NCAA postseason competition.
"Coach Thompson has done it all. His attention to detail, his tireless work ethic, and his knowledge of the game make him more than just an asset to our program. This is an opportunity for us to recognize his achievements on and off the field," said Cohen. "Our pitching staff's accent to elite status didn't happen by accident. It reflects Butch's commitment to excellence"
Mingione, in his fourth year at State and his second coaching affiliation with Cohen, assumes full-time assistant coaching duties. He replaces assistant coach Lane Burroughs, who resigned last week to become head baseball coach at Northwestern State.
"Coach Mingione has been an integral part of our baseball program for the past four years. His commitment to Mississippi State Baseball has been undeniable. Nick brings a vast coaching skill set and is subsequently a natural choice for this position," Cohen said.
For more information about Mississippi State athletics, please visit www.HailState.com.
