MIKE KINNISON

Head Coach - 13th year
Office: (662) 846-4291
Email Coach Kinnison

Mike Kinnison became the seventh head coach in Delta State baseball history in 1997. He enters his thirteenth season at the helm of one of the most storied programs in collegiate baseball.

Since taking over the program in 1997, Kinnison has compiled an amazing career overall record of 504-138 (.785). In 2004, he garnered the ABCA “National Coach of the Year” honors after guiding the Statesmen to the program's first-ever NCAA DII National Championship. He has also been named the “Gulf South Coach of the Year” twice.

In his previous 12 seasons, Kinnison has guided the Statesmen to the 2004 NCAA National title, four College World Series appearances, eight NCAA South Regional appearances (1999-2005. 2007), nine GSC Western Division titles (1997-2005), three NCAA South Regional championships, and three Gulf South Conference titles.

Last season, the Statesmen finished the season 45-16 overall and 16-5 in the Gulf South. The Statesmen placed one player on the ABCA All-America Team, junior pitcher Brett Durand, a Second Team selection.

Kinnison has had the pleasure of coaching two Rawlings/American Baseball Coaches Association National Players of the Year. Dee Haynes claimed the award in 2000 and in the National Championship season of 2004 Jud Thigpen walked away with the honor.

Prior to succeeding Bill Marchant , Kinnison served as an assistant coach for three seasons. He played a key role in guiding the Statesmen to World Series berths and Gulf South Conference Championships in 1994 and 1996. In his three years as an assistant the Statesmen compiled an impressive 138-36 (.793) record.

The Benton native was a standout shortstop for Coach Dave “Boo” Ferriss from 1977-1978. Kinnison garnered ABCA Second Team All-American honors during the 1978 season. In 1978 he batted .343 with 25 doubles and 56 RBI in leading the Statesmen to a second place finish at the NCAA College World Series. Kinnison currently holds the single season record for doubles (25-tied) and previously held the record for most games played (62) in a season.

Before returning to his alma mater, Kinnison was an accomplished high school coach in Mississippi. Kinnison coached in the high school ranks at Lee Academy (1979-81), Jackson Prep (1982-92), and Madison Central (1993). He claimed three Mississippi Private School Association State Championships at Jackson Prep in 1982, 1990 and 1991. During his prep head coaching career, Kinnison compiled a career record of 292-83 (.779).

Kinnison earned his Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics Education in 1977 from Delta State University. He later earned a Master’s degree in Mathematics Education from DSU in 1978. The accomplished mathematician serves as an instructor at DSU as well as coaching baseball.

Kinnison is married to the former Cindy Colbert of Grenada. The couple is the proud parents of Mary Claire and Kate, both students at Delta State. The Kinnison’s reside in Cleveland.