How Nick Saban, Jim Harbaugh helped shape Mississippi State football’s Coleman Hutzler

STARKVILLE — Coleman Hutzler’s office overlooks the Mississippi State football practice field, but around the corner, there’s another reminder of how far the first-year defensive coordinator has come.

Through his window, Hutzler can catch a glimpse of Dudy Noble Field – the baseball team’s stadium that holds all but two of the NCAA’s top 25 all-time on-campus attendance records. For a former football and baseball player at Division III program Middlebury College, one glance away from his computer reminds him that he’s arrived in the SEC.

“It’s really fun to be able to see it, to be able to be part of it,” Hutzler told the Clarion Ledger.

Inside his office, though, are reminders of room to grow. It’s sparsely decorated with the exception of a few photos of his family – his wife Cobey, son Micah and daughter Leila.

Hutzler is clearly new to Starkville, and he’s a rookie in his role. A co-defensive coordinator stint at Texas in 2020 is the closest thing he’s had to this job, and he joins new coach Jeff Lebby’s staff after spending the last two seasons as Nick Saban’s special teams coordinator and linebackers coach at Alabama.

But Hutzler is confident about his ability to succeed with the Bulldogs. His history working with elite coaches is a significant reason why.

Coleman Hutzler’s overlap with Jim Harbaugh

Jim Harbaugh’s head coaching career started at San Diego (2004-06) where, in his final season, he added a former Division III linebacker to his staff as a defensive assistant. That was Hutzler, who followed Harbaugh to Stanford (2007-09) and saw first-hand how the new Los Angeles Chargers coach built a program.

“(Harbaugh’s) competitiveness is very important,” Hutzler said. “Instilling that in your players, obviously on the defensive side of the ball, is a critical trait. I hope…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/nick-saban-jim-harbaugh-helped-100539460.html

Author : The Clarion Ledger

Publish date : 2024-03-18 10:05:39

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