Samantha Ricketts led Mississippi State softball to its first-ever NCAA Super Regional in 2022.
So it’s easy to see why the Bulldogs wanted to keep her around.
The MSU head coach, who just completed her third season in charge of the Bulldogs’ program, received a contract extension through the 2026 season. Her four-year term is the longest allowable contract by Mississippi law.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“Coach Ricketts has improved our program during the past three seasons as our head coach,” athletic director John Cohen said in a news release Tuesday. “It is evident that Coach Ricketts and her staff have worked tirelessly to elevate Mississippi State softball to the Super Regional level. We are very excited about the future and look forward to reaching new heights under Samantha’s leadership.”
Ricketts also kept her staff intact, promoting assistants Tyler Bratton and Josh Johnson to associate head coach. Johnson, the Bulldogs’ pitching coach, will serve as the team’s recruiting coordinator.
“I am thankful that John Cohen believes in our staff and the future of our program,” Ricketts said. “Coach Johnson and Coach Bratton are an integral part of what we are building and have been hitting the recruiting trail, looking to continue building on the foundation of what last year’s team built. These titles are recognition of their dedication to and hard work for this program as they continue to push us forward to make more history for Mississippi State softball.”
Ricketts took over for Vann Stuedeman, beginning her head coaching tenure with a 25-3 record in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. Mississippi State made a third straight regional final in 2021 before surpassing that feat this spring.
The Bulldogs upset No. 2 national seed Florida State twice to win the Tallahassee Regional and host the program’s first Super Regional. MSU was swept by Arizona in two games.
Ricketts owns a career 97-55 record as a head coach. She served as an assistant at MSU from 2015 to 2019.
Ricketts’ extension comes on the heels of a reported extension for football coach Mike Leach last week.
Theo DeRosa reports on Mississippi State sports for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter at @Theo_DeRosa.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 31 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 31 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
Join the Discussion