Startling news has come out of Starkville, Mississippi, Tuesday as Andy Cannizaro has announced his resignation, effective immediately, from his position as head baseball coach at Mississippi State. Cannizaro had just begun his second season at the helm of the Bulldogs, following a successful 40 win inaugural season.

Cannizaro has released the following statement Tuesday morning: “I had a wonderful opportunity at Mississippi State, but unfortunately I made some poor decisions. I hope Mississippi State University and all of the fans and people affected will one day forgive me.” 

Judging by the language of the statement, Cannizaro was participating in damning behavior, but the nature of those activities are not currently known. Throughout the day Tuesday, rumors of infidelity have been swirling, although none have been confirmed.

247sports reported early Tuesday morning that Cannizaro would be fired “with cause” at some point Tuesday, with a resignation coming just hours following the initial reports.

The university has promoted pitching coach Gary Henderson, who spent eight seasons leading Kentucky from 2009-2016, to interim head coach. Henderson has spent the past thirty years coaching college baseball.

Cannizaro’s resignation has shocked the college baseball world, as almost no one could have predicted this debacle. What could Cannizaro have done to prompt this situation? Was it truly adultery that caused him to lose a coveted job? I am a little hesitant to believe that is the reason for his resignation, unless a student or another staff member was involved.

As a current NCAA student-athlete, this situation hit home for me. A parent trusts the head coach and their coaching staff to mold their teenager into a man in three or four years, whether that career ends in college or extends to the professional ranks. No matter the reason for this abrupt of a resignation, the situation is unsettling, considering that someone who was seemingly holding their dream job put themselves in a situation[s] to destroy that dream.

This situation is currently ongoing, and chances are, more will be posted to Student Union as the story develops.