Missouri State Coach Earns Bonuses for Wins Over Top Teams

A victory over Mizzou on Wednesday would give Joey Hawkins a $500 bonus, per his contract.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 9:51pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the dynamic movements and perspectives of a college baseball game, with players and the field rendered in sharp, overlapping planes of color.A cubist interpretation of the energy and action of a college baseball game captures the competitive spirit of Missouri State's successful season.Columbia Today

Missouri State's head baseball coach Joey Hawkins leads a successful team with a potent offense and a strong home record, earning bonuses along the way. A win over in-state rival Missouri on Wednesday would give Hawkins a $500 bonus, per his contract, which also includes incentives for beating top-25 ranked teams and reaching various postseason milestones.

Why it matters

Hawkins' contract incentives highlight the high expectations and pressure on college baseball coaches to build winning programs that can compete with Power 5 schools and reach the NCAA Tournament. Missouri State's success under Hawkins has made him one of the youngest Division I head coaches to earn a contract extension.

The details

Missouri State (24-10, 12-3 CUSA) is a game out of first place in the Conference USA standings and ranked No. 23 in the country by Perfect Game. The Bears have a potent offense that ranks top-10 nationally in home runs (70) and top-20 in runs per game (9.17). The team is led by star center fielder Caden Bogenpohl, a projected first-round MLB draft pick, and two-way player Max Knight. Shortstop Logan Fyffe was recently named national shortstop of the week.

  • Missouri State can extend their home winning streak to 16 with a win over Missouri on Wednesday, April 14, 2026.
  • On Friday, April 17, 2026, Missouri State continues Conference USA play with a three-game homestand against Western Kentucky.

The players

Joey Hawkins

The 33-year-old head baseball coach of Missouri State, who recently signed an amended contract that extended him through 2029.

Caden Bogenpohl

Missouri State's 6-foot-6 center fielder who is expected to be a first-round MLB draft pick in July.

Max Knight

One of the top two-way players in college baseball, playing for Missouri State.

Logan Fyffe

Missouri State's shortstop who was recently named national shortstop of the week.

Patrick Ransdell

The athletic director of Missouri State, hired in late August 2024.

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What they’re saying

“This team's built for this”

— Caden Bogenpohl, Missouri State outfielder

What’s next

A win over Missouri on Wednesday would give Hawkins a $500 bonus, per his contract. The Bears will also continue Conference USA play with a three-game homestand against Western Kentucky starting on Friday.

The takeaway

Hawkins' contract incentives highlight the high expectations and pressure on college baseball coaches to build winning programs that can compete with Power 5 schools and reach the NCAA Tournament. Missouri State's success under Hawkins has made him one of the youngest Division I head coaches to earn a contract extension.