Mississippi
Mississippi State fires Coleman Hutzler, could rehire Zach Arnett
STARKVILLE — Mississippi State football fired defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Coleman Hutzler, a source told The Clarion Ledger on Dec. 6.
The source requested anonymity because an announcement has not been made.
Meanwhile, the Bulldogs are expected to target former coach and defensive coordinator Zach Arnett as his replacement, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported on Dec. 6.
Hutzler was in his second season at Mississippi State.
The Bulldogs finished 5-7 and the season ended on Nov. 28 in a 38-19 loss to Ole Miss in the Egg Bowl.
The early signing period covering three days ended Dec. 5.
Hutzler was hired by MSU coach Jeff Lebby before the 2024 season, but his defense has been statistically at or near the bottom in the SEC in both seasons. The 2024 defense was last in the SEC with 34.1 points allowed per game, nearly 10 points worse than the next worst team. MSU’s 2025 defense was slightly better but still at the bottom of the SEC.
Arnett was an analyst at Florida State in 2025.
Hutzler’s contract was set to expire after the 2026 season.
Mississippi State’s defense under Coleman Hutzler
The Bulldogs struggled badly defending the run in 2024. They allowed 216.9 rushing yards per game, the fifth most in the country. The pass rush wasn’t good either with just 10 total sacks on the season. Oregon State was the only team with fewer sacks than Mississippi State.
MSU prioritized upgrading its defensive front in 2025, and the early returns were positive. Will Whitson, a Coastal Carolina transfer, was a disruptive pass rusher until he suffered a season-ending injury in the first half of the Week 2 game against Arizona State. Despite the injury, Whitson was still tied for second on the team by the end of the regular season with two sacks.
The MSU defense particularly struggled in the last month of the season with the run defense as the root. The last five opponents all scored at least 35 points.
The Bulldogs were 15th in the SEC in scoring defense, allowing 29.2 points per game, and last in rushing defense with 189.5 rushing yards per game.
Coleman Hutzler buyout, contract details
Hutzler signed a three-year contract worth $1 million annually as the highest-paid assistant coach on MSU’s staff. It was set to expire in January 2027.
Mississippi State must pay him his remaining salary as if it were to naturally expire. Payments will be made in equal monthly installments. His contract does have a duty to mitigate clause.
What to know about Zach Arnett
Arnett was the defensive coordinator at MSU from 2020-22 under coach Mike Leach. Then when Leach died in December 2022, Arnett was promoted as the head coach, only to be fired 10 games into the 2023 season.
The Bulldogs had the No. 6 scoring defense in the SEC in 2020, No. 9 in 2021 and No. 7 in 2022.
Arnett was an analyst at Ole Miss in 2024 after he was fired by MSU.
Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for The Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@gannett.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
STARKVILLE — The 2026 MLB Draft has arrived, and Mississippi State baseball is expected to have players picked.
Ace Reese, MSU’s star third baseman for the last two seasons, is a projected first-round pick. Many of the Bulldogs’ signees in the 2026 recruiting class are also draft prospects. How the draft unfolds will determine if they make it to Mississippi State next season like Jack Bauer and Jacob Parker did.
The draft begins July 11 (noon, NBC/Peacock) in Philadelphia with Rounds 1-4. Rounds 5-20 are on July 12 (10:30 a.m., MLB.com).
The Clarion Ledger is keeping track of all the Mississippi State draft picks, including signees and transfers.
Mississippi State baseball players picked in 2026 MLB Draft
This section will be updated.
Mississippi State baseball signees picked in 2026 MLB Draft
This section will be updated.
Mississippi State baseball transfers picked in 2026 MLB Draft
This section will be updated.
When does the MLB draft start today?
The MLB draft begins July 11 at noon CT with Rounds 1-4. Rounds 5-20 are July 12 starting at 10:30 a.m. CT.
How to watch the 2026 MLB Draft
July 11
- Picks 1-10: NBC/Peacock
- Picks 11-40: MLB Network, MLB.com, MLB.TV, MLB+
- Picks 41-135: MLB.com, MLB.TV, MLB+
July 12
- Rounds 5-20: MLB.com, MLB.TV, MLB+
Where is the 2026 MLB Draft?
The 2026 MLB Draft is in Philadelphia at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@usatodayco.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
Odds of winning the Powerball and Mega Millions are NOT in your favor
Odds of hitting the jackpot in Mega Millions or Powerball are around 1-in-292 million. Here are things that you’re more likely to land than big bucks.
The Mississippi Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at July 10, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mississippi Match 5 numbers from July 10 drawing
06-11-13-18-26
Check Mississippi Match 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 3 numbers from July 10 drawing
Midday: 8-0-9, FB: 3
Evening: 2-3-1, FB: 7
Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 4 numbers from July 10 drawing
Midday: 9-0-5-0, FB: 3
Evening: 9-1-6-6, FB: 7
Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from July 10 drawing
Midday: 01
Evening: 10
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Story continues below gallery.
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
Winnings of $599 or less can be claimed at any authorized Mississippi Lottery retailer.
Prizes between $600 and $99,999, may be claimed at the Mississippi Lottery Headquarters or by mail. Mississippi Lottery Winner Claim form, proper identification (ID) and the original ticket must be provided for all claims of $600 or more. If mailing, send required documentation to:
Mississippi Lottery Corporation
P.O. Box 321462
Flowood, MS
39232
If your prize is $100,000 or more, the claim must be made in person at the Mississippi Lottery headquarters. Please bring identification, such as a government-issued photo ID and a Social Security card to verify your identity. Winners of large prizes may also have the option of setting up electronic funds transfer (EFT) for direct deposits into a bank account.
Mississippi Lottery Headquarters
1080 River Oaks Drive, Bldg. B-100
Flowood, MS
39232
Mississippi Lottery prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the drawing date. For detailed instructions and necessary forms, please visit the Mississippi Lottery claim page.
When are the Mississippi Lottery drawings held?
- Cash 3: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
- Cash 4: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
- Match 5: Daily at 9:30 p.m. CT.
- Cash Pop: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Mississippi editor. You can send feedback using this form.
JACKSON COUNTY, Ms. (WZTV) — The family of a Mississippi teenager whose body was found after he went missing Fourth of July weekend is now demanding answers.
On Friday, Civil Rights Attorney Ben Crump , Rev. Al Sharpton and the family of Wells are holding a press conference to demand an investigation into the teen’s death.
Wells’ body was reportedly found Monday in the water near the end of Horn Island in Jackson County, Mississippi.
Rev. Sharpton opened the conference by stating there are too many unanswered questions to close the investigation into Wells’ death. He says Wells, who is Black, went on a boat with three white men, who returned with Wells’ phone and keys, but not Wells.
“We we’ve been told does not make sense,” Rev. Sharpton said. “There’s just too many questions where they should not be closing the investigation. This does not smell right.”
Attorney Crump leading an independent investigation into Wells’ death.
Investigators are asking anyone who was on or near Horn Island on July 4 to come forward, especially if they saw Wells, spoke with him, heard or saw any type of disturbance or have original photos or videos from the island.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department Criminal Investigations Division at 228-769-3065 during regular business hours or 228-769-3063 after hours.
This is a developing story. Check back as we continue to update this story.
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