2026 Mississippi State Football Coaching Turnover Tracker 2.0

[BlackSailsDawg]

No. His situation is still iffy. Womack wanted to come here. He likes Lebby and he likes Barnes, who may be the only defensive staffer to say. Womack committing isn't a decision on the DC one way or the other. We needed him, we probably overpaid a tad, but we got him.

Golesh is adding defensive guys from USF. Not sure what capacity, but one would think that you announce the DC before others right?

[Cowbeller]

I don't know if we have or not. Last year the rumors were he'd be happy to do that and stay on staff as a recruiter, because the guy recruited pretty damn good out of the portal. But no clue on this year.

After the year played out do we still think he was that great out of the portal? Genuinely asking because I did not see much of an improvement.

I think Muschamp would be a home run. Hiring on the way down worked for Saban, now I know getting the most out of guys was Sabans thing but I dont think replicating that is impossible. Whether Lebby has that leadership is yet to be seen but this upcoming year will tell us all we need to know about what hes learned running a program.

[KB21]

Barnes has also coached with Durkin as well. Both at Florida and Maryland.

[Tater]

Lotta folks running with Durkin rumor as of now. From my understanding we've had more conversation and contact with Muschamp. And I can confirm that it was us checking in and him politely declining. So don't run with this that either are serious contenders yet.

Not ruling out Durkin, but the narrative from him seems to totally be from OM spin about how State could flip a 5* DB. Nothing at all to do with the fact we paid market value AND have glaring holes, I mean excuse me, opportunities to start in our secondary from day 1. From what I've been told - this merry flipmas has been in the works for months and would have happened even if Durkin was named HC. (Hypothetical because we don't know Durkin's counter - but Auburn would have had to pony up more than they were.)

[StarkVegasSteve]

Lotta folks running with Durkin rumor as of now. From my understanding we've had more conversation and contact with Muschamp. And I can confirm that it was us checking in and him politely declining. So don't run with this that either are serious contenders yet.

Not ruling out Durkin, but the narrative from him seems to totally be from OM spin about how State could flip a 5* DB. Nothing at all to do with the fact we paid market value AND have glaring holes, I mean excuse me, opportunities to start in our secondary from day 1. From what I've been told - this merry flipmas has been in the works for months and would have happened even if Durkin was named HC. (Hypothetical because we don't know Durkin's counter - but Auburn would have had to pony up more than they were.)

That is correct. There was a truck that was promised and was never delivered. At that point, we saw an opening and one particular booster got us back in the game, s/o Heath.

[StarkVegasSteve]

Just talked to someone in the know at TCU, the Briles stuff is real. There is a lot of concern on their side that he is headed to Starkville.

[KB21]

Just talked to someone in the know at TCU, the Briles stuff is real. There is a lot of concern on their side that he is headed to Starkville.

If they are doing that, they better do it soon. Because Briles is a guy that Ole Miss may be after to maintain some offensive continuity.

[StarkVegasSteve]

If they are doing that, they better do it soon. Because Briles is a guy that Ole Miss may be after to maintain some offensive continuity.

If he is coming to MS, it will be to coach with his brother in law.

[Tater]

If he is coming to MS, it will be to coach with his brother in law.

Yep. As with everything else this carousel (and in general) news that is positive out of ole miss is just wishcasting and not really founded in reality. It's been hilarious to see every bit of positive news for them be proven false time and time again. As cancerous as it is, tiger droppings gave me good entertainment tracking and seeing them fall flat on their face.

[Coursesuper]

Just talked to someone in the know at TCU, the Briles stuff is real. There is a lot of concern on their side that he is headed to Starkville.

Time line?

[Todd4State]

At MSU we are hell bent on having Kendall Briles as our OC and DJ Durkin as our DC.

And I wouldn't mind that one bit.

[msstate7]

At MSU we are hell bent on having Kendall Briles as our OC and DJ Durkin as our DC.

And I wouldn't mind that one bit.

It would be a massive haul.

[Thick]

Count me all in on that haul as well

[StarkVegasSteve]

Time line?

We will get through signing day and they will get through their bowl game but after that I would think we see a hire pretty soon.

[Tater]

At MSU we are hell bent on having Kendall Briles as our OC and DJ Durkin as our DC.

And I wouldn't mind that one bit.

Again Durkin is fans wishcasting and OM spin to downplay the fact State flipped a 5* and got its best recruit since Simmons. It's also setting us up for disappointment if we don't get Durkin.

We lose the ****ing press conference to them every time. Please don't fall for it.

And as tight-lipped as most things are, I think we've plugged a lot of leaks in the program from what we had setup with Arnett. I like what we're doing on that front and what that can mean long-term even if that means short-term we're gonna have to be a little patient. I have no other news that's shareable beyond that currently.

Edit: do not take this as ruling Durkin out. Take this as - the conversations there haven't seriously begun. there's no rush to hire a DC before 1/1 (though it likely gets resolved before then). guys are shopping around and some want to be HC which means some will settle for being a DC. having a revolving door of DC promotions every year is not a bad thing so we're hunting for a riser not a settler.

[Bubb Rubb]

Don't dismiss the possibility of Hutzler being reassigned to special teams coach.

[TrapGame]

The Durkin to State rumor is on the Auburn message boards. Their insiders have responded that it is a genuine possibility.

[BlackSailsDawg]

The Durkin to State rumor is on the Auburn message boards. Their insiders have responded that it is a genuine possibility.

Durkin is not going to be at Auburn

[Maroon Glasses]

Durkin is not going to be at Auburn

I think you read it wrong Sails. He is saying the Auburn boards are saying Durkin to us.

[BlackSailsDawg]

I think you read it wrong Sails. He is saying the Auburn boards are saying Durkin to us.

I went to their board, and there is talk. But what's interesting is fans are posting reactions by players. And 2 defensive line guys are not happy tonight. So I am 75% sure Durkin is gone. I think we have a shot at him too.