Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
By Rivers Hughey
Mississippi State will make a change at defensive coordinator. Coleman Hutzler has been informed he will not return next season, according to ESPN’s Pete Nakos.
Mississippi State has fired defensive coordinator Coleman Hutzler, sources tell @On3sports. ESPN first. https://t.co/K7QjZwsm4s pic.twitter.com/UAlpZ4t20I
— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos) December 6, 2025
Pete Thamel reports the Bulldogs are expected to target former Mississippi State head coach and defensive coordinator Zach Arnett for the role. Arnett was hired as UNLV’s defensive coordinator earlier this year but left the program in April for personal reasons.
Sources: Mississippi State defensive coordinator Coleman Hutzler has been informed he’s not returning for the Bulldogs next season. Mississippi State is expected to target former head coach and DC Zach Arnett to be the defensive coordinator. pic.twitter.com/YiMOxXn0hT
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) December 6, 2025
Arnett spent time as an analyst at Ole Miss and is currently serving in a similar role at Florida State. A return to Starkville would reunite him with the program where he previously led the defense before ascending to interim, then full-time, head coach in 2022.
