Justin Parker is expected to accept the same position at Mississippi State. That is troublesome because Chris Lemonis is currently on the hot seat in Starkville after missing the last two postseasons. (Despite a National Championship in 2020). The Bulldogs just bought a baseball coach from Carolina. Which on paper doesn't look good, but I personally think they over paid.
Mark Kingston, expecting this, has reportedly already found Parker's replacement in Liberty Pitching Coach Matt Williams. Williams was actually a candidate when Parker was hired last go around.
Williams began his tenure at Liberty prior to begin the 2020 season. In his first full season leading the staff in 2021, the Flames finished in the top 15 nationally in runs per game (5th), WHIP (9th), ERA (12th) and hits allowed per nine innings (13th). In the 2022 season, Liberty set a school record in total strikeouts, were 15th nationally in strikeouts per game, and 19th in the country in strikeout to walk ratio. The Liberty staff had an ERA that was 32nd nationally. Liberty had a bad season in 2023 and Williams' staff finished 125th nationally in ERA.
Williams is native of Lancaster and played at Spartanburg Methodist. He was also previously a minor league coach for the Padres and the pitching coach at UNC Wilmington.
I think this is essentially a wash. I was never terribly impressed with Parker's development of the staff, especially the younger pitchers like Cade Austin and Matthew Becker. Williams doesn't have the most sterling resume, but he did some good work at Liberty and UNCW.