STARKVILLE – Mississippi State head coach Jeff Lebby began his staff shakeup on Saturday, choosing not to retain defensive coordinator Coleman Hutzler, per ESPN National College Football reporter Pete Thamel. An MSU spokesperson confirmed to The Dispatch that Hutzler is no longer with the program.

The news came on Saturday morning that Hutzler was informed he would not return as DC, including a report that MSU is targeting former head coach Zach Arnett to be the next defensive coordinator.

Hutzler worked as the linebackers coach and co-defensive coordinator alongside Matt Barnes, but the results on the field were not positive for the Bulldogs.

MSU ranked 95th in FBS in total defense in 2025, allowing an average of 29.2 points per game and more than 400 yards per game. The Bulldogs notably ranked last in rushing defense in the SEC, allowing an average of 189.5 yards per game and more than 1,000 yards on the ground in the final four regular-season games combined.

Arnett, 39, first came to Starkville in 2020 and served as defensive coordinator for three seasons under Mike Leach. He was elevated to head coach after Leach’s sudden passing following the 2022 regular season. He led the program to a win in the ReliaQuest Bowl, but struggled in his first full season in charge. He was fired 10 games into the 2023 season with a 4-6 record.

Since leaving Starkville, Arnett has worked as an analyst for Ole Miss and Florida State, and briefly worked as the defensive coordinator under Dan Mullen at UNLV.