Athletics
- Title:
- Director of Athletics
- Phone:
- 662-325-0863
Zac Selmon, a nationally respected leader and accomplished administrator with extensive experience at three different Power 4 universities, was named Mississippi Stateโs 18th Director of Athletics on January 13, 2023. Since arriving in Starkville, Selmon has led Mississippi State in one of the most transformative times in college athletics, while advancing the Bulldogsโ competitive excellence, academic achievement, fundraising and facility enhancements to new heights.
With Selmon at the helm, the department raised a record $84.6ย million in fiscal year 2025, more than double the departmentโs previous fundraising high. Selmon unveiled a bold, long-term facilities master plan impacting every Mississippi State sport, and announced a football indoor practice facility backed by a trailblazing gift from Howard Industries.
During Selmonโs leadership, Mississippi State programs have succeeded nationally. In 2024โ25, 12 teams reached NCAA postseason play, tying the second-highest total in school history, while nine programs earned national rankings and six finished in the Top 25 of final polls. Soccer captured its first SEC Championship and rose to a No. 1 national ranking, while menโs basketball advanced to a third straight NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2005 and set a program record with five AP Top 25 wins in a single season. Womenโs basketball recorded its third consecutive 20-win campaign and second NCAA appearance in three years under Sam Purcell, while menโs tennis advanced to the NCAA Elite Eight, tying the school record with 29 wins. On the diamond, Mississippi State baseball once again led the nation in attendance, softball posted a winning SEC record for the first time since 2001. While menโs and womenโs golf extended program-record streaks of consecutive NCAA postseason appearances. In all, 24 Bulldogs earned All-SEC honors, seven captured major SEC postseason awards, and 18 earned All-America recognition. Across all sports, nearly one million fans attended Mississippi State home events during 2024โ25, underscoring the Bulldogsโ standing as one of the nationโs most passionate fan bases.
Equally impressive have been the achievements in the classroom. Mississippi State student-athletes set a school-record 3.37 department GPA in the spring of 2025, with 11 of 13 teams earning above a 3.0. Football set a program GPA record for the third straight semester, while the department posted a 988.3 NCAA Academic Progress Rate with every sport exceeding the standard. Over 100 student-athletes earned Mississippi State degrees during the academic year, and the Bulldogs achieved a record 93 percent Graduation Success Rate. The year also produced two SEC Scholar-Athletes of the Year and four Academic All-Americans, including two National Team Members of the Year.
Off the field, Selmon has emphasized holistic student-athlete development through the expansion of the D.A.W.G. Program and Bulldog Athlete Services, elevating Mississippi Stateโs efforts in equipping student-athletes with tools for life in the new era of college athletics. He also established the S.T.A.T.E. of Mind core valuesโServe, Together, Act, Transform, Excelโas guiding principles for the department.
Selmonโs innovative approach and embrace of the new era of college athletics is evident in the launch of the Talent Management Services division. This newly created business division will involve all aspects of student-athlete acquisition, brand development, NIL integration, contracting and related budgetary and compliance operations. This includes fiscal oversight, market evaluation and strategic brand alignment for current and future student-athletes.
Selmonโs impact has been recognized nationally, including his selection to Sports Business Journalโs prestigious โForty Under Fortyโ Class of 2023. Prior to Mississippi State, he served as deputy athletics director at the University of Oklahoma, where he oversaw external engagement, advancement, and football administration, and held senior leadership roles at North Carolina. A four-year starter and deanโs list scholar at Wake Forest, Selmon graduated in 2007 before earning a masterโs degree in education with an emphasis in intercollegiate athletics administration from Oklahoma.
The son and nephew of the famed โSelmon Brothersโ of Oklahoma football, Selmon carries on his familyโs legacy of service as co-founder of the Shine Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to helping children and families in need. He and his wife Rachel, along with daughters Shayne and Rylee (Meatball), proudly call Starkville homeโnamed by USA Today as the โBest Small Town in the Southโ for two years running.
