Andy Cannizaro has resigned as Mississippi State’s baseball coach, effective immediately.

Cannizaro said Tuesday in a university release that “unfortunately, I made some poor decisions.” Cannizaro added that “I hope Mississippi State University and all of the fans and people affected will one day forgive me.”

The nature of Cannizaro’s “poor decisions” wasn’t specified.

Athletic director John Cohen said Gary Henderson would serve as interim head coach. Henderson had been a pitching coach on Cannizaro’s staff. He was Kentucky’s head coach from 2009-16 and had a 258-199 record.

Cannizaro was only in his second year on the job and had posted a 40-30 record. Mississippi State went 40-27 last season and reached an NCAA super regional. The Bulldogs opened this season by losing three straight games to Southern Mississippi.

Mississippi State Director of Athletics John Cohen said, “While the circumstances are difficult, we are fortunate to have a coach of Gary Henderson’s caliber to assume leadership of the program on an interim basis during our transition.” 

Henderson owns 29 years of collegiate coaching experience, including eight years as a Southeastern Conference head coach. He was named the 2012 SEC Coach of the Year.

“Although I have taken this position under some unfortunate circumstances, I have been with this team for two years,” Henderson said. “We have great student-athletes and a tremendous staff who proudly represent our tradition-rich program. We will move forward, focusing on the things we can control and give Mississippi State fans a team they can be proud of.”