Former Oklahoma Offensive Coordinator Jeff Lebby is set to become the next head coach at Mississippi State the school announced Sunday.
Known for his fast paced, high scoring offenses, Lebby agreed to a 5 year deal with the Bulldogs to replace interim head coach Greg Knox. Knox, who went 1-1 under the interim tag, closed out the season for the school following the departure of former head coach Zach Arnett.
Mississippi State hopes that the hiring of Lebby will help stabilize the coaching carousel at Davis Wade Stadium. The 39 year old will be the school’s 6th head coach since 2017, and takes over a program still mourning the unexpected passing of former coach Mike Leach in December of 2022.
“I am confident that Jeff is the perfect leader for the next exciting chapter of Mississippi State football,” athletic director Zac Selmon said in a statement. “He will bring an exciting brand of football, elite student-athlete development, and a winning culture to Starkville, all while doing so with high integrity. He is a dynamic recruiter who will attract an elite coaching staff and the nation’s top talent. There is no doubt in my mind that Jeff’s leadership, vision, and resilient work ethic will take this program to incredible heights. We could not be more excited to welcome Jeff, his wife Staley, and their children Kora and Kane to the Mississippi State family. It is a great time to be a Bulldog and only going to get better.”
Often labelled one of the toughest jobs in the SEC, the former Sooners OC didn’t appear phased by the challenge of turning the 5-7 program around in short order. “Being the head coach at Mississippi State is the opportunity of a lifetime,” Lebby said. “My family and I are fired up to engrain ourselves in this community, build relationships with our players, and hit the recruiting trail. This is a special place with special people and a football program with a storied tradition.”
The Bulldogs struggled after transitioning from Leach’s “Air Raid” style offense to a more pro-style system in 2023. Their 195 passing yards per game ranked 110th in the nation as the team finished 6th in the SEC West.
Amongst Lebby’s first orders of business will be determining a plan of action with 2023 starting QB Will Rogers. The 22 year old announced on Friday his intent to enter the transfer portal to assess his options. Whether a change in coaching philosophy will entice him to stay for another year remains to be seen.
According to multiple reports, Lebby was offered the job late Saturday night, slept on it, and ultimately accepted the position Sunday afternoon. The school plans to officially introduce their new coach to the public at a press conference on Monday.
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