STARKVILLE — During Mississippi State football’s trip to South Carolina in September, athletics director Zac Selmon took in the environment around him. From the audio blaring through the speakers to the light show adding intensity to every energizing moment, Williams-Brice Stadium asserted itself as one of the top gameday atmospheres in the SEC.

Selmon, who was hired as AD in January, watched closely with the understanding that MSU is looking to elevate its experience at Davis Wade Stadium.

“When you go to South Carolina at night, you feel like you can feel the music beating off your chest,” Selmon told the Clarion Ledger in an exclusive interview. “I know the capital investment that South Carolina made recently, and it’s substantial. But it also takes years of planning.”

For Selmon, simply catching up to opponents isn’t enough.

“How do you take all that (you see) and make it authentically you, authentically Mississippi State and then set the standard so that when people come to Mississippi State they know this is how it’s supposed to be done,” Selmon said. “Philosophically, that’s the goal.”

That’s why Selmon, who was hired from Oklahoma’s athletic department, says he paused the Davis Wade Stadium facility project. He wanted MSU to have a holistic approach. Rather than looking at the next improvement, he wanted future plans established as well.

“We’re trying to fit a lot of stuff in a short period of time but are really optimistic of the conversations we’ve had with our architects,” Selmon said. “Now, it’s just trying to hit timelines so we make sure that we don’t just do it, but we do it right and we do (something) that everybody can be really proud of.”

The changes may come in phases, he said, but Mississippi State should be thinking multiple steps ahead.

“It’s not just an easy fix to go in there and throw new speakers in there,” Selmon added. “There’s no new easy fix to just go throw new lights in there. The easy fixes are the ones that cost millions of dollars but then you look at it and (think), ‘Where did that money go?’ For me, growing up in fundraising, I’ve always wanted to make sure if we’re asking people for money, that we’re spending good money. We’re not just throwing money to go chase it.”

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Davis Wade Stadium is a top priority in a master plan Selmon and his staff are developing for facilities. Humphrey Coliseum is a testament to Selmon’s approach.

The Hump was renovated ahead of the current season. However, under this administration, that doesn’t mean the basketball arena is exempt from future improvements.

“If you’re not looking at it every year and not trying to innovate every year, you’re going to be left behind," Selmon said.

Stefan Krajisnik is the Mississippi State beat writer for the Clarion Ledger. Contact him at skrajisnik@gannett.com or follow him on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter, @skrajisnik3.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Mississippi State football: Zac Selmon details Davis Wade Stadium plan