Mississippi State names baseball coach John Cohen as new AD

After months of speculation, Mississippi State finally named current baseball coach John Cohen as the university's new athletic director, the school announced Friday.

"I love Mississippi State University," Cohen said in a press release. "As a student, later as a coach, and now with this fantastic opportunity to lead MSU's athletics program, this was always where I wanted to be. I am profoundly grateful for the chance to lead the totality of MSU athletics as I have tried to lead MSU's baseball program - in daily and dogged pursuit of championships at the highest level."

Cohen becomes the 17th athletic director in school history, after guiding the Bulldogs' baseball team the past eight years. Cohen and his team won the conference championship this past season, and he's coached it to an overall record of 284-203-1.

The Alabama native replaces Scott Stricklin, who accepted the same position with Florida on Sept. 27, replacing longtime athletic director Jeremy Foley.