Razorbacks Lose Assistant Coach to SEC Rival

Kennedy to be a part of Jeff Lebby’s first staff at Mississippi State

Jacob Davis | Dec 1, 2023

Razorbacks Lose Assistant Coach to SEC Rival /

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Arkansas Razorbacks

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas received the news that Cody Kennedy will leave the program for Mississippi State in the coming days, per Football Scoop. The Bulldogs hired Jeff Lebby as their new head coach on Monday and has been rounding out his staff with a couple of holdovers.

During Bobby Petrino’s introductory press conference as Arkansas offensive coordinator, Razorbacks coach Sam Pittman hinted there would be more changes to the staff on that side of the ball.

“I think there’ll be some,” Pittman said. “I’m not ready to talk about it, but I don’t think we’ll be intact totally next season.”

The news of Kennedy's departure comes on the heels of one of the worst performances in program history. The Razorbacks allowed an SEC worst 47 sacks this past season, also ranking No. 129 out of 133 teams in the FBS.

The two pervious seasons the Hogs were a Top 10 unit running the football, averaging nearly 237 yards per game. With the same supporting cast, the line struggles put a damper on what was perceived to be the best backfield in the conference, finishing No. 11 with 139 yards per game. Not a single back scored an offensive touchdown in SEC play until garbage time against Missouri down 41-7.

Before making his way to Arkansas, Kennedy was hired as offensive line coach at Southern Miss during the 2020-2021 offseason. He coached the offensive line at Tulane in 2019 and 2020. At Georgia, Kennedy served in a graduate assistant role in 2018 while Pittman was the assistant head coach and offensive line coach for the Bulldogs.

The Razorbacks hauled in Keyshawn Blackstock from Michigan State out of the transfer portal. The former top lineman out of the JUCO ranks chose Arkansas following the Hogs 44-20 victory over FIU.