Joey Hawkins Named Next Head Coach for Missouri State Baseball

Since the Missouri State Baseball program was founded in 1964, it has only been led by two men in Bill Rowe and Keith Guttin. That number became three Tuesday morning.

In a release from the MSU Athletic Department, Joey Hawkins has been announced as the team’s next head coach.

Hawkins said, “I couldn’t be more excited to be chosen to lead the baseball program for my alma mater. I am extremely thankful to Clif Smart, Kyle Moats and Casey Hunt for the opportunity. I look forward to adding to the legacy and tradition that Coach Rowe and Coach Guttin built. The future is bright for Missouri State Athletics and I’m looking forward to getting to work in my new position.”

He’ll have large shoes to fill in replacing Guttin, who was the head coach for the Bears the last 42 years.

Hawkins himself is a Bears alum, playing shortstop for Guttin from 2012-2015. He later returned to Springfield as the team’s hitting coach and recruiting coordinator in 2021, and was promoted to associate head coach in 2022.

In the release, Missouri State revealed he signed a three-year deal to become head coach, with a base pay of $144,000 per year. There are incentives included in the contract for NCAA Tournament appearances, conference championships, etc.