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Mississippi State

Anonymous SEC coach calls Mississippi State's defense 'legitimately bad' in criticism of roster

Danby: Daniel Hager06/04/25DanielHagerOn3
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Mississippi State defensive coordinator Coleman Hutzler is held back by assistant coach Matt Holecek as Hutzler erupted in anger at officials as on a pass interference call during an NCAA college football game against Tennessee on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in Knoxville, Tenn. | © Saul Young/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

An anonymous SEC coach shredded Mississippi State‘s defense in Athlon Sports’ 2025 College Football Preview magazine.

The Bulldogs are coming off a 2-10 (0-8) record last season in the first year of the Jeff Lebby era. Lebby, who was Oklahoma‘s offensive coordinator from 2022-2023, hired Alabama special teams/outside linebackers coach Coleman Hutzler to take over as the Bulldogs’ new defensive coordinator last season.

Hutzler’s first season in Starkville was nothing short of a disaster, as the Bulldogs allowed 456.4 yards per game (last in SEC) and 34.1 points per game (last in SEC). An anonymous SEC coach continued to dunk on the Mississippi State defense.

“The defense is legitimately bad,” the coach said. “This is the ultimate line-of scrimmage league, and they were the worst defensive line we saw last season. I think every one of their starters will be portaled, and some of those guys are very good, but even if they take that next step in the offensive system, the defensive front and run game defense have to improve dramatically. You don’t have that in this league and you’re dead.”

Things however seem to be getting better for Lebby’s defense this season, as it returns four of its five leading tacklers from last season (Isaac Smith, Nic Mitchell, Branden Jennings and Hunter Washington). Their lone major departure is linebacker Stone Blanton, who signed with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agents.

This offseason, State hauled in nine defensive players from the Transfer Portal, highlighted by Coastal Carolina DL Will Whitson, Marian (NAIA) CB Dwight Lewis III, Tennessee LB Jalen Smith, Northern Illinois EDGE Raishein Thomas and Texas A&M EDGE Malick Sylla. The Bulldogs boast the No. 22 ranked recruiting class in the country, but 13th best in the SEC.

Dating back to 1961, Mississippi State had won just two games in a season on four different occasions. The Bulldogs have never won less than three games in back-to-back seasons. To say this season is extremely important for every member of the coaching staff is a major understatement.

Mississippi State opens the 2025 season on August 30 at Southern Miss.

Mississippi State 2025 schedule