Zac Selmon's vision for Mississippi State: A bold plan to elevate Athletics

Mississippi State’s Director of Athletics Zac Selmon entered his first job as the head man of a department at a time where the college sports landscape is changing like never before.

In the last two years alone, Name, Image and Likeness has now evolved into revenue sharing for athletic departments. At MSU, the Bulldogs have dealt with two new head football coaches in as many years along with the challenge of fundraising and keeping up with the rest of the SEC.

While there have been trying times for State during Selmon’s tenure, there have been some highs as well. The Bulldogs won the school’s first SEC championship in soccer this past season while the women’s golf team earned the first SEC Tournament championship. Chris Jans and the basketball team got to its second-straight NCAA Tournament, men’s tennis remained strong nationally and most of the sports on campus were competitive.

Selmon spoke on many of those things and more on Friday in his personal reflections he released on Friday on the Athletics website.
“When we arrived two years ago, we knew we not only needed to meet the challenges that were coming, but also to position State to seize every opportunity out there,” Selmon said in his release. “Through energy, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of excellence, we want to make Mississippi State the destination for student-athletes who insist upon going after SEC and National Championships. To be the best we have to plan to be the best and demand nothing less. Starkville is a place where these kinds of dreams can come true.”

From SEC championships to transformative facility upgrades, MSU’s Director of Athletics reflects on progress and shares an ambitious roadmap for the Bulldogs’ future.

Along with the reflections that Selmon shared, he also had a vision for the future. The AD has not been shy about his plans to improve facilities around campus. Selmon announced earlier this week that Davis Wade Stadium would be receiving LED lighting for the first time coming in 2025.

Lighting and sound aren’t the only things that the Bulldog leader has been working on in the last year. Selmon and his staff have also been working with architecture firm HOK to create a master plan to hopefully be completed across the next 10 years.

“In addition to revenue sharing and increased benefits for student-athletes, we must continue to be strategic and precise in how we approach facility enhancements,” Selmon said. “If we neglect vital investments in our facilities and infrastructure, we negatively impact our future. We must satisfy the essentials needed today, while positioning Mississippi State Athletics for success for a long time to come. Our bold long-term vision will elevate the student-athlete journey, our fan experience and continue to showcase why MSU is a premier destination.”

Among the most notable upgrades will be with the football program. It’s been previously reported that the Bulldogs planned to add an indoor practice facility to the existing practice field at the Leo Seal Jr. Complex on campus. Among the additions in the facility will be players’ lounge, position rooms, new offices, upgraded recovery area and more.

DWS has the biggest plans ahead. The nation’s second oldest stadium in set to have a totally revamped South End Zone in the new renderings with a field level terrace, updated home locker room, club seating and even loft apartments.

The plan also has a replacement on the lower bowl of the West side with the stadium expanded into B.S. Hood road, club level upgrades and improved concourses. The East side will receive a new concourse, a more flexible club level, a social space in the upper deck and the press area will move to the East side from the West.

Among other additions on campus will be at Dudy Noble Field. Despite the fact that the Diamond Dawgs’ worldclass facility is still relatively new, there are needs that are presenting themselves as the popularity of MSU baseball has hit new heights.

Selmon and his staff have pushed for an outfield restaurant to be used year-round at the stadium and there are more upgrades expected to current facilities like additional suites.

It’s important to note that the Master Plan is just that with no current timetable. It will also take fundraising for Selmon and the department, something that the AD has done well over the last few months.

Selmon announced that over 40 major gifts had been given to the department and the State Excellence fund in the month of December with another $2 million announced on Friday from the Bo McKinnis family.