Mississippi State’s men’s basketball program is poised for a fresh look as head coach Chris Jans unveiled the full slate of assistants and support staff for the 2026‑27 season.
Jans, the only coach in Bulldogs history to guide the team to the NCAA Tournament in three of his first four seasons, emphasized that the new hires are designed to build on that momentum and push the program deeper into March.
A Strategic Overhaul
At the helm of operations, Dylan Sortillo arrives from a diverse coaching background that includes stints at Illinois‑Chicago, Dartmouth and Florida Southwestern State, bringing a blend of administrative savvy and player development experience.
Jonathan Comer, a native of Caledonia, Mississippi, returns to the state after serving as an assistant at Belhaven, where he helped the program capture its first NCAA Division III Tournament berth.
Damien Davis, brother of former Bulldog standout Dashawn Davis, joins as a graduate assistant after experiencing the excitement of NCAA Tournament squads under Jans himself.
Jalen Gibbs, who most recently headed the program at North Point High School, brings a player‑first perspective after a collegiate career that spanned Drake, Mount Saint Mary’s and Jacksonville State, culminating in two NCAA Tournament appearances and a 1,262‑point scoring legacy.
Zahree Harrison, a veteran of both high school and AAU circuits, adds his playing experience from Saint Francis and Coppin State to the mix, promising to mentor the next generation of talent.
Noah King, an NJCAA All‑America standout from Kirkwood Community College — the same junior college where Jans celebrated a 1998 national championship — will round out the graduate assistant corps.
Tonny Trocha‑Morelos, who logged 132 SEC games at Texas A&M and helped the Aggies to two Sweet 16 appearances and a 2015‑16 regular‑season title, rounds out the staff with proven SEC pedigree.
The Bulldogs will open the new campaign against Tennessee Tech on November 2 at Humphrey Coliseum, a venue that has witnessed many of Jans’s historic moments.
With a blend of seasoned SEC experience and fresh perspectives, the 2026‑27 Mississippi State roster aims to translate early‑season promise into a deep tournament run.