Mississippi State is parting ways with defensive coordinator Coleman Hutzler, who ESPN reported Saturday morning had been informed he will not be returning next season.

Hutzler was brought to Starkville alongside head coach Jeff Lebby and has coached the defense for the first two seasons of Lebby’s tenure. While the offensive-minded Lebby has jumpstarted Mississippi State’s offense – taking the Bulldogs to ninth in scoring and total yards in 2025 amongst SEC teams after previously ranking in the cellar of the conference – the defense has seen minimal improvement under Huntzler’s leadership.

The Bulldogs ranked last in yards per game allowed and points per game allowed in 2024 before ranking second-to-last in both categories in 2025.

ESPN’s Pete Thamel, who broke the news of Hutzler’s fi

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