Mississippi State soccer has quickly become one of the most popular and most successful sports in Starkville. The Bulldogs are fresh off a record-setting season, winning a program-best 19 matches and an SEC championship. But unfortunately for MSU soccer, the program just suffered a major blow.
Mississippi State soccer coach James Armstrong leaving for Auburn Tigers after record-setting season
Fresh off the best season in program history, the Bulldogs are undergoing a change in program leadership. Head coach James Armstrong is leaving Mississippi State after six seasons to become the next head coach of the Auburn Tigers. Armstrong replaces legendary Auburn coach Karen Hoppa, who retired after leading the Tigers for 26 seasons.
The dawn of a new era 🌅
— Auburn Soccer (@AuburnSoccer) December 3, 2024
Please welcome the fourth head coach in program history, James Armstrong!
🔗 https://t.co/mQhLLhMW5K#WarEagle pic.twitter.com/hs86uKuTyI
The move is somewhat of a homecoming for Armstrong. Prior to coming to Starkville, he served as an assistant coach and then Associate Head Coach at Auburn from 2013-2018. The Tigers made a trip to Sweet 16 in 2015 and the Elite Eight in 2016 with Armstrong on staff, the program's two furthest runs in the NCAA Tournament.
Of course there's the elephant in the room, being that former Mississippi State athletic director John Cohen is now in the same role at Auburn. Cohen originally hired Armstrong to Starkville. With that relationship in place and Armstrong's already strong ties to The Plains, it's no surprise that this is the move he's making.
James Armstrong finishes his time in Starkville as the greatest coach in Mississippi State soccer history. From 2019 through 2024, he posted a career record of 62-35-18 (.617). He led the Bulldogs to three NCAA Tournaments, their only NCAA Tournament victories, consecutive trips to the Sweet 16, and the program's only SEC regular season championship.
Mississippi State's top head coaching candidate could be in-house
There's a high likelihood that Mississippi State could be promoting from within for their next head coach. Associate Head Coach Nick Zimmerman has been considered by many to be "next in line" for a head coaching gig. Zimmerman, who joined Armstrong's staff in 2019 from Columbus State, is the lead offensive coach for the Bulldogs. If Mississippi State plans to keep building off the foundation laid by Armstrong and maintain continuity within the program, there's a good chance of Zimmerman being the next head coach of the program.