Byrne to remain until late April

Mississippi State University Athletic Director Greg Byrne, who announced Monday he’ll be leaving the school for University of Arizona, will be on board in Starkville until late April as MSU begins a search for his replacement.

MSU defense will have attack first mentality

STARKVILLE — Talented, yet young and inexperienced last season, the Mississippi State defense will have things simplified this year. 

Under new defensive coordinator Manny Diaz and defensive line coach/co-defensive coordinator Chris Wilson, reads will be simplified with an attack first mentality.

Byrne initiated change during MSU tenure

STARKVILLE — Greg Byrne’s impact as athletic director Mississippi State has visible reminders around campus and could have lasting effects in the future. 

Typically two-year periods don’t produce the type of innovation and change that Byrne initiated before leaving behind his athletics renovation to become athlatic director at the University of Arizona, but he did just that with notable coaching hires and facility upgrades. 

Starkville’s Johnson swings big stick

STARKVILLE — R.J. Johnson’s tremendous baseball talent has been evident since the first day he suited up for the Starkville Yellow Jackets.

He’s just now starting to put all the pieces together. 

The 6-foot-4, 200-pound shortstop/pitcher has ideal measurables that have drawn the attention of pro scouts, but it’s been his discipline at the plate that’s seen him get off to a blazing start for Starkville (5-1). 

With new backs, MSU’s line will have more onus

STARKVILLE — Often unnoticed through last year’s edge-of-your-seat Mississippi State football season, the Bulldogs offensive line became the team’s most cohesive unit. 

The same is expected this season, though the main beneficiary of the offensive unit’s drastic improvement last year, Anthony Dixon, will be earning an NFL paycheck instead of setting more team records. 

Dixon rushed for 1,391 yards and ranked among the nation’s best in yards per game and total rushing yards last season. The Bulldogs rushed for 2,731 yards as a team, which ranked 13th in the nation. 

Byrne: Decision to leave MSU ‘a good one for my family’

STARKVILLE — Talk about a case of the Mondays.

Byrne: Decision to leave MSU ‘a good one for my family’

STARKVILLE — Talk about a case of the Mondays.

MSU edged by North Carolina

STARKVILLE — North Carolina is still North Carolina.

After exchanging leads in a pressure-packed NIT contest on Saturday, the North Carolina Tar Heels escaped Humphrey Coliseum by edging the Mississippi State Bulldogs 76-74.

Larry Drew made the winning basket for North Carolina with 2.8 seconds remaining with a high-banked kisser off the glass.  

Disappointing ending for Bulldog seniors

STARKVILLE — For two Mississippi State players, Saturday wasn’t the way to end a career.

Seniors Barry Stewart and Jarvis Varnado ended their Mississippi State careers in disappointment Saturday as the Bulldogs were edged 76-74 by North Carolina in the second round of the NIT.

But as MSU coach Rick Stansbury pointed out, every senior in America has their career come to a disappointing end accept the ones who hoist the NCAA, NIT and CIT championship trophies.

MSU’s Bost motivated for North Carolina

STARKVILLE — Dee Bost is looking forward to Mississippi State’s game against North Carolina in the second round of the NIT.

The sophomore point guard, of Concord, N.C., believes he has something to prove when Mississippi State (24-11) hosts North Carolina (17-16) at Humphrey Coliseum at 11 a.m. Saturday.

The 6-foot-2 Bost was the Class 3A Player of the Year in North Carolina and he wants to play well against the Tar Heels because of what he perceived to be a lack of attention from North Carolina coach Roy Williams and his staff when he was being recruited.

MSU baseball team begins SEC play at Florida

STARKVILLE — As Mississippi State coach John Cohen sees it, there’s nothing that compares to league play in the Southeastern Conference.

Coming off a mid-week rout of Mississippi Valley State, the Bulldogs begin SEC play today at Florida.

Cohen is steadfast in his belief that there are no off weekends in the SEC and he’s hopeful last weekend’s games against UCLA, Oklahoma and Texas A&M Corpus Christi in the Whataburger Classic in Corpus Christi, Texas, have given the Bulldogs ample warmup for the three-game series against the Gators. 

Stansbury through with criticism of officiating

STARKVILLE — A day after lamenting a call that wasn’t made in his team’s loss to Kentucky Win the Southeastern Conference Tournament championship game, Mississippi State coach Rick Stansbury is apparently over the officiating mis-sight that he believes cost his team a chance to go to the NCAA tournament. 

After beating Jackson State 81-67 in Tuesday’s NIT opener at Humphrey Coliseum, Stansbury declined to comment if he’d been in contact with the SEC regarding a possible review of the call.

MSU advances in NIT

STARKVILLE — In a workman-like performance Tuesday night, the Mississippi State men’s basketball team won its first-round National Invitational Tournament game by beating Jackson State 81-67.

Two days after learning they’d be playing in the NIT instead of the more prestigious NCAA Tournament, the Bulldogs didn’t shoot particularly well (40.7 percent). They shot just 27.6 percent from 3-point range.

The Bulldogs were also out-rebounded by three.

Mississippi conntered the shooting and rebounding by coming up with 12 steals.

MSU re-focus for Jackson State in NIT

STARKVILLE — Just one day before opening the National Invitational Tournament against Jackson State, Rick Stansbury was still feeling the effects from his Mississippi State men’s basketball team’s overtime loss to the University of Kentucky.

MSU heartbroken by Kentucky again

NASHVILLE, Tenn. –– Mississippi State’s hopes of making the NCAA Tournament were dashed Sunday afternoon, suffering its second heartbreaking loss of the season to the Kentucky Wildcats.

An automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament slipped through Mississippi State’s grasp as it lost a late lead in regulation and endured a 75-74 overtime loss in the Southeastern Conference Tournament championship game at Bridgestone Arena.

MSU left out of NCAA Tournament

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In the end of Mississippi State’s statement run at the Southeastern Conference Tournament, the Bulldogs were shut out of the NCAA Tournament for not doing enough during the course of the season.

Throw out the added high-RPI win against Vanderbilt in the SEC Tournament semifinals Saturday. Throw out a win against NCAA qualifier Florida in the tournament Friday. Nevermind pushing No. 1 seed Kentucky to the limit in a 75-74 overtime loss in the title game Sunday.

MSU will face Kentucky for SEC Tournament title

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Another big lead. Another nail-biter of a second half. Another Mississippi State appearance in the finals of the Southeastern Conference Tournament.

Defense helps MSU get past Vanderbilt

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Always a hallmark for Rick Stansbury’s Mississippi State men’s basketball teams, defense helped push the Bulldogs to their second straight Southeastern Conference Tournament title game.

MSU beats Florida, takes step toward NCAAs

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Mississippi State men’s basketball team had its best offensive performance of the season Friday night, but had to stave off a furious Florida comeback on Day 2 of the Southeastern Conference Tournament.

Itawamba AHS’ Mitchell will be Starkville High’s new football coach

STARKVILLE — Jamie Mitchell will be the man charged with the task of transforming Starkville High School football.