Mississippi State nearing deal with Memphis defensive coordinator Matt Barnes, per report

The Mississippi State Bulldogs are looking to add Memphis defensive coordinator Matt Barnes to their football coaching staff, according to Stefan Krajisnik of the Clarion Ledger. The move comes as Jeff Lebby reportedly hired Coleman Hutzler as his defensive coordinator, according to reports earlier in the week.

Barnes came to Memphis from Ohio State and made instant improvements on their defense. The Tigers’ defensive unit went from 95th in total defense to 51st in 2022–Barnes first year with the program. The Memphis defense took a step back in 2023, ranking 113th in the country in total defense.

Mississippi State reportedly hired its new defensive coordinator: Coleman Hutzler, according to Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger.

“Mississippi State is finalizing the hire of Alabama OLB coach/special teams coordinator Coleman Hutzler as defensive coordinator, sources tell @YahooSports,” Dellenger wrote on Twitter.

The former Alabama assistant joins new head coach Jeff Lebby and the new Bulldogs’ staff for 2024.

Hutzler started his tenure at Alabama in 2022 as the special teams coordinator and outside linebackers coach. He was previously the special teams coordinator at Ole Miss in 2021 before coaching under Nick Saban.

Prior to his time in Oxford, Hutzler spent one season in Texas in 2020 as the co-defensive coordinator. His defense ranked in the top No. 9 in the FBS in fourth down conversion defense (.333) and Longhorn junior Joseph Ossai earned consensus All-America honors under Hutzler’s guidance, per his bio from Alabama football.

Ossai ranked No. 14 in the country with 16 tackles for loss while registering 55 total stops and led the Big 12 in forced fumbles with three.

Now, Lebby has a big hire on the defensive side of the ball to lead the Bulldogs in 2024.

Jeff Lebby hired as Mississippi State head coach

Lebby comes over from Oklahoma, where he served as the offensive coordinator under Brent Venables.

“Being the head coach at Mississippi State is the opportunity of a lifetime,” Lebby said in a statement. “My family and I are fired up to engrain ourselves in this community, build relationships with our players, and hit the recruiting trail. This is a special place with special people and a football program with a storied tradition.”

With his offensive prowess as a coach, Mississippi State could be quite exciting.

“I am confident that Jeff is the perfect leader for the next exciting chapter of Mississippi State football,” athletic director Zac Selmon said in a statement. “He will bring an exciting brand of football, elite student-athlete development, and a winning culture to Starkville, all while doing so with high integrity.”

On3’s Nick Kosko also contributed to this article.