David Turner, a three-time Mississippi State football assistant, announces retirement

David Turner, who is in his third stint on the Mississippi State football staff, announced July 18 on social media that he is retiring.

“To the Mississippi State University family, community, my former players, current players and many friends, it is time for me to step away from the game that I love and have devoted over two thirds of my life to,” Turner posted on social media.

Turner was the Bulldogs defensive line coach from 2023-25 but was set to be a senior defensive line consultant under coach Jeff Lebby in 2026. Lebby hired Ty Warren from Rice to be the defensive line coach.

Turner was also the Mississippi State defensive line coach from 2007-09 and 2013-15. He has coached at multiple SEC schools, including Kentucky, Vanderbilt, Alabama, Texas A&M and Florida.

“Mississippi State has been good to me and my family, and in the life of a college football coach, which is often a nomadic one, this has been home,” Turner wrote. “I never imagined after coming here back in 2007 that the relationships that me and my family would ultimately develop would run so deep.

“I want to thank all the student-athletes that I’ve had the privilege to coach over the last 40 years and more importantly all of the defensive lineman that allowed me to not only coach them but coach them hard and love them harder.

“Dblock is real and don’t ever forget it. My hope is that I’ve helped each one of you become a better man. I love you guys!”

Turner has coached 15 NFL draft picks in his career, according to his Mississippi State bio, and was responsible for signing Bulldogs star Jeffery Simmons, a Tennessee Titans first-round draft pick in 2019.

“I want to thank Sylvester Croom, Dan Mullen, Zach Arnett and Jeff Lebby for allowing me to be a part of your staffs, but more importantly your dream of building this program in to a program that all Bulldogs could be proud of,” Turner wrote. “I’ve been part of some great moments in MSU history.

“To the Starkville community, thank you for all you’ve done for me and more importantly, my family, this has been our home away from home.”

Mississippi State is expected to open preseason practice the first week of August, and the Bulldogs kick off the season at home Sept. 5 vs Louisiana-Monroe (6:30 p.m., ESPNU).

Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@usatodayco.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.