### Virginia Baseball Head Coach Brian O'Connor Departing after 22 Seasons; Potential Replacements Emerge

Virginia Cavaliers baseball will soon bid farewell to Head Coach Brian O'Connor, who is departing after an illustrious 22-year tenure to take the helm at Mississippi State. Under O'Connor's leadership, Virginia made seven appearances at the College World Series, secured five 50-win seasons, clinched two ACC Championships, and captured one National Championship. As the Cavaliers prepare for a new era, several potential candidates are being considered to replace O'Connor and continue his legacy of success.

**Kevin Schnall - Coastal Carolina Head Coach**

Kevin Schnall has had an impressive debut season leading Coastal Carolina, steering the Chanticleers to a 48-11 record. With Sun Belt Tournament and Regular Season Titles under his belt and an NCAA Tournament spot, Schnall was rightfully named Sun Belt Coach of the Year in 2025. The Chanticleers showcased their dominance in the Conway Regional, securing a 3-0 record. His proven capability to handle high-stake environments makes him a strong candidate for transitioning to a Power 4 conference program.

**Tom Walter - Wake Forest Head Coach**

Serving as the head coach at Wake Forest since 2010, Tom Walter has consistently demonstrated his coaching prowess. Despite facing stiff competition from Virginia, Walter guided his team to the College World Series in 2023 and received ACC Coach of the Year honors. Wake Forest remains in contention, with one game remaining in the Knoxville Regional. Walter's experience and success make him a fitting choice for a high-profile program like Virginia.

**Cliff Godwin - ECU Baseball Head Coach**

Cliff Godwin has made a name for himself at East Carolina by leading the Pirates to nine regional appearances over 11 seasons. This year, Godwin steered ECU to an American Athletic Conference Championship, securing a five-seed in their conference and an automatic bid that played a part in bumping Virginia out of the NCAA Tournament. Godwin's strategic acumen and consistent success position him as a viable candidate capable of managing a top-tier program.

**Karl Kuhn - Charleston Southern Head Coach**

Karl Kuhn has led Charleston Southern to remarkable achievements, including a run to their conference final, narrowly missing out on the NCAA Tournament. His coaching tenure at Radford also saw similar success, with the Highlanders achieving their best start in years in 2020. Notably, Kuhn has deep ties to Virginia baseball, having been part of the program's first College World Series appearance in 2009 and its National Championship win in 2015. His familiarity with the Cavaliers could make for a seamless transition.

**Mike Glavine - Northeastern Head Coach**

Mike Glavine has successfully led Northeastern, earning his fifth CAA Coach of the Year award in 2025 following a stellar 45-9 regular season and a CAA Championship. Compiling an overall record of 308-211-1 and making four NCAA Tournament appearances, Glavine has demonstrated consistent excellence. Although Northeastern was eliminated in the Tallahassee Regional, Glavine's proven track record makes him a compelling option for Virginia.

As Virginia baseball looks towards the future, these distinguished coaches are among the top prospects to carry forward the winning tradition established by O'Connor. Each candidate brings a wealth of experience and a proven ability to compete at high levels, setting the stage for continued success at Virginia.