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7h ago

Mississippi State Fires DC Coleman Hutzler as Reports Indicate Zach Arnett's Return

Jeff Lebby begins an overhaul of a last-place defense after a 5–7 finish.

Jeff Lebby of the Mississippi State Bulldogs and Kirby Smart of the Georgia Bulldogs before the game at Davis Wade Stadium on November 08, 2025 in Starkville, Mississippi.
Oct 7, 2023; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Zach Arnett looks on during the first quarter of the game against the Western Michigan Broncos at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
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Overview

  • ESPN and multiple outlets report Hutzler was informed he will not return after Mississippi State allowed roughly 34.1 points per game, worst in the SEC this season.
  • Reports say the Bulldogs are expected to re-hire former defensive coordinator and one-time head coach Zach Arnett to lead the defense.
  • Arnett previously coordinated Mississippi State’s defense from 2020–22 and guided the program through the transition following Mike Leach’s death before his 2023 dismissal.
  • He has since worked as an analyst at Ole Miss (2024) and Florida State (2025) and briefly accepted then left the UNLV defensive coordinator job earlier this year.
  • A late report says Arnett has agreed to a three-year deal, per ESPN’s Pete Thamel, though the university had not announced the hire at the time of reporting.