2024 offers a lot of challenges for Mississippi State’s new head coach Jeff Lebby, as well as the Bulldog program. In Lebby’s new year and first season as a head coach, he will be leading a Power Five football team in the newly expanded SEC, no less.
2023 was fraught with challenges. The team was faced with many ups and downs starting at the end of 2022, The mantle of head coach was thrust on then-defensive coordinator Zach Arnett, following the death of head coach Mike Leach. As the year progressed, the Bulldogs struggled in their SEC schedule and after 10 games, they were 4-6, 1-6 in the conference. At that point, Arnett was fired, and the Dawgs split the final two games, finishing the season 5-7, 1-7 in the SEC. For the first time in 13 seasons, Mississippi State would not be bowl-eligible.
Lebby made his entrance as head coach to the sounds of the marching band and fireworks, as the university jet landed in Starkville. A new wave of positive anticipation was about to land as well.
Lebby’s New Year, First Season
Out with the Old
Lebby wasted no time in making significant changes that ushered in a whole new organization. He quickly went to work removing existing coaches starting with the offensive coordinator Kevin Barbay, the day after his arrival. Barbay was brought in by Arnett to run a new pro-style offense. This drew skepticism, considering the team was tooled to be effective in Leach’s Air Raid offense, one that took them to a nine-win season just the year before. Considering the season outcome, the skepticism was warranted.
Defensive coordinator Matt Brock was the next significant dismissal from the coaching staff. He had been the linebacker coach for Arnett under Leach. The 2023 defense was sporadic at best, an exception being the linebackers, Bookie Watson and Jett Johnson. They repeated their 2022 performance, both leading the SEC in tackles.
Lebby continued cleaning house, dismissing on-field defensive assistant Brett Dewhurst and Tony Hughes, who supervised the running backs room. Darcel McBath came over from Washington State with Leach coaching the cornerbacks. He left along with Eric Mele, who also came over with Leach, coordinating special teams.
For the most part, Lebby will be starting the 2024 season with a brand-new coaching staff. Considering the outcome of the 2023 season, most believe, and feel good, that it had to be done.
In With the New Offense
Lebby could be considered an offensive mastermind. Looking at his stats, one could come to that conclusion. “Coach Leb’s” offenses in the past, averaged 38 points per game, and 500 total yards (300 passing, 200 rushing). He’s only one of three coaches with at least two years of experience to average those numbers. State fans can then be pleased that the former Oklahoma offensive coordinator has decided that he will be calling the offensive plays. He had intended to hire an offensive coordinator, but at this point, the staff is maxed out. More than likely, one will be named from the existing staff.
Not all the coaches were eliminated. Wide receiver coach Chad Bumphis, will remain in his position. That was one area of the offense that shined last year with outstanding performances from Zavion Thomas and Tulu Griffin. Although Thomas transferred to LSU and Griffin is entering the NFL draft, there is a fresh batch of receivers from the portal and recruits that will benefit from Bumphis.
New offensive hires include Cody Kennedy, offensive line coach. He spent the last three seasons at Arkansas and was a 2021 Broyles Award semifinalist. Jon Cooper will handle the tight ends, coming directly from North Texas. He was an analyst under Lebby at Oklahoma in 2022. Anthony Tucker will be in charge of the running backs. Last season he was co-offensive coordinator at Indiana and worked with Lebby at UCF. Handling the all-important quarterback room will be Matt Holecek. He was with Lebby at Ole Miss and followed him to Oklahoma.
In With the New Defense
Lebby went across the state line to Alabama for the new defensive coordinator, Coleman Hutzler. He was outside linebacker and special team coordinator for the Crimson Tide for the last two seasons but has a lengthy, impressive resume. In a statement, Lebby said that Hutzler has developed successful NFL players. “Put simply, he knows exactly what winning football looks like, and he’s gotten the most out of his players at every one of his stops,” Lebby said. “Coach Hutzler demands a toughness and intensity from his players, and we’re thrilled to add his drive and expertise to our staff.” Hutzler will also coach inside linebackers.
While Matt Barnes comes directly from Memphis where he was defensive coordinator for the last two seasons. But before that, he spent three seasons at Ohio State helping the Buckeyes to three Big-Ten titles and two appearances in the College Football Playoffs. He will assist Hutzler as co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach.
Furthermore, David Turner is the other of the two coaches retained from Arnett’s staff. He will continue his role with the defensive line. He has a long history at several Power-Five programs and is in his third stint in Starkville.
Coming in from Florida Atlantic (FAU) is Corey Bell. He is well-known in the country for his work with defensive backs and will be in charge of cornerbacks.
On special teams, Lebby has hired Mew Mexico State defensive backs’ coach Cliff Odom. He and Lebby crossed paths at UCF when the former was the special teams quality control coach under current Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel.
That rounds out the coaching staff for 2024. After reading this, one might think that college football coaching is one big family, and more than likely, a coach will end up hiring a family member they passed along the way. And, that’s exactly how it is.
A Championship Vision
Ultimately, athletic director Zac Selmon and MSU president Dr. Mark Keenum have a clear vision of where Mississippi State football should be headed. This is especially true in the expanded 12-team playoff picture. After all, Keenum has been the chairman of the College Football Playoffs Board of Managers since 2018. He was instrumental in getting college football to that expanded picture. He was born in Starkville and has a vested interest in making sure State has a chance to be represented. Thus, Dawg fans should have a great deal of faith in what is happening next fall. There will be a lot more to see with a new roster in the Spring game.
