Mississippi State targeting Zac Selmon for open athletic director position

Mississippi State is targeting Oklahoma Deputy AD Zac Selmon for its vacant athletic director position, Sports Illustrated’s Ross Dellenger reports.

No deal has been finalized, but Selmon is expected to meet with MSU officials later this week. If Mississippi State pulls the trigger on Selmon, he will become the school’s first African American AD.

As deputy AD for the Sooners, Selmon provides oversight of various stakeholder clubs, strategic communications, media relations, marketing, multi-media rights, licensing, brand management, ticket sales and has sport oversight of the football team.

The Bulldogs will be looking to end their three-month search for their next AD. Former AD John Cohen left Mississippi State for Auburn in November after 14 years with the program.

Mississippi State, Zach Arnett announce return of defensive line coach David Turner

The Mississippi State Bulldogs and head coach Zach Arnett have been busy assembling their new coaching staff during the past few weeks under difficult circumstances.

On Wednesday afternoon, the Bulldogs’ head coach announced the addition of a veteran coaching staff member who knows Starkville and the SEC extremely well. He announced that he’s bringing back David Turner as Mississippi State’s defensive line coach, the school announced in an official press release. Turner will be beginning his third coaching stint with the Bulldogs’ staff–he coached there from 2007-2009, 2013-2015, and now.

“We’re happy to welcome David Turner back to the Mississippi State Family,” Arnett said. “When you tune in to the NFL on Sundays, you will see the best defensive linemen in the league who were recruited, signed and developed by Coach Turner. Having spent two decades in the SEC, he understands what it takes to compete at the line of scrimmage in this conference. His experience, reputation and proven track record coaching some of the most dominant defensive lines in the country will make him a huge asset for our players and staff.”

Turner spent last season as Georgia Tech’s assistant head coach and their defensive run game coordinator. He’s got a very extensive resume that includes a wide variety of stops across the college football coaching landscape: the Florida Gators (2019-20201), the Texas A&M Aggies (2016-2017), the Kentucky Wildcats (2010-2012), the Alabama Crimson Tide (2006), Vanderbilt (2002-2005), Minnesota (2001), the Virginia Cavaliers (1997-2000), N.C. State (1995-1996), and the Kentucky Wildcats (1993-1994).