Brett Kimbrel

Brett Kimbrel is in his eighth season as head coach of the East Mississippi Community College (EMCC) baseball program, and his tenth year overall at the institution. After serving two years as an assistant coach, he was promoted to the head-coaching role following the 2018 season. Under his leadership the Lions have posted a five-year composite record of 122-111 and a .500 conference mark (56-56) since the COVID-era, produced three consecutive postseason appearances (2022-24), and recorded the program’s winningest season in a decade in 2024 (30-22 overall, 15-13 in Missouri Association of Community College Conferences play). Kimbrel brings extensive experience in the junior-college baseball landscape, having previously spent 12 seasons as an assistant coach at Shelton State Community College where he helped guide teams to four NJCAA Division I College World Series appearances and four Alabama Community College Conference state championships. At EMCC, he has overseen both athletic and academic growth: the baseball team set new program GPA records (3.57 in 2023-24; 3.62 in 2024-25) and consistently produced NJCAA All-Academic selections. Over his tenure, more than 70 players have moved on from EMCC to four-year collegiate programs or professional baseball, including MLB Draft selections.