Column: Was Hiring Jeff Lebby a Good Move by Mississippi State?

Mississippi State hired Jeff Lebby to be its 36th head coach in program history. Was it the right move?

Starting in December 2022, Mississippi State football found itself in a challenging position due to some unforeseen circumstances. The Bulldogs lost their athletic director, John Cohen, who took the job at Auburn, and Mike Leach passed away just a  few weeks later. 

After an Egg Bowl win and an eight-win season, the Bulldogs had all the momentum, and suddenly, it all was stripped away. Without an athletic director, MSU decision-makers promoted Zach Arnett to head coach. 

It was a move that made sense on paper, but the Arnett tenure went up in flames. New MSU athletic director Zac Selmon quickly pulled the plug, looking to insert juice into a football program that desperately needed it. 

Many, including myself, thought the Bulldogs should seek someone with head-coach experience. Selmon did his due diligence on that front, however a lesser coach should not be hired just because he has experience. 

Saturday evening, reports were coming out saying Jeff Lebby was the guy in Starkville. Lebby brings everything the Bulldogs need: an exciting offense, recruiting prowess, and deep connections. 

He’s called plays under Josh Heupel and Lane Kiffin, two of the prominent offensive minds in college football. I imagine Lebby sold Selmon on his ability to hire a solid staff around him. An early name to watch on that front is Kendal Briles, the TCU offensive coordinator, also Lebby’s brother-in-law. 

Overall, though this appears to be a solid hire from Selmon for his offense and his familiarity with Mississippi after spending two seasons at Ole Miss. 

There will always be concerns when hiring a coordinator with no prior head coaching experience, but Dan Mullen showed that a coordinator can lead the Bulldogs to new heights. Lebby is a deeply connected coach with a high-flying offense. 

Lebby must start fast with the transfer portal and high school recruiting. It will not take long for MSU fans to feel his impact or lack thereof in the transfer portal as he looks to bring in playmakers while retaining those still on the roster. 

Overall, the Bulldogs are taking a risk in hiring a coordinator, but if you want to elevate a major college football program, a certain amount of risk will always be involved.

First Team Meeting ✅ pic.twitter.com/5fg6OIGOb1

— Mississippi State Football (@HailStateFB) November 27, 2023

Jacob Bain writes regularly for Cowbell Corner.

Jeff Lebby Hired as Mississippi State Football Head Coach