Jeff Lebby's Defensive Coaching Staff Takes Shape at Mississippi State
One day after announcing his new defensive coordinator, Mississippi State football coach Jeff Lebby added another assistant to his coaching staff on Friday with Matt Barnes, who will be the co-defensive coordinator and also oversee the safeties.
Corey Bell has also been added to coach cornerbacks. He previously was the defensive pass game coordinator at Florida Atlantic, plus he has extensive recruiting experience in the Sunshine State, which could be an indication of the Bulldogs trying to add more speed to the roster.
On Thursday, the addition of Coleman Hutzler as defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach was announced. With David Turner set to return as defensive line coach, the only position group left without a coach appears to be outside linebacker. Lebby also needs someone to over see special teams. Ironically, those are Hutzler's responsibilities with Alabama as it heads into the College Football Playoff.
"Coach Hutzler has helped lead many of the most successful programs in the nation and developed players who not only reached the NFL but excelled there and had outstanding careers," Lebby said in a release. "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. Coach Hutzler demands a toughness and intensity from his players, and we're thrilled to add his drive and expertise to our staff."
Hutzler and Lebby worked together at Ole Miss together under Lane Kiffin. Hutzler has also coached at South Carolina and Florida in the SEC, and was nominated for the 2017 Broyles Award for the nation's best assistant with the former.
Barnes arrives in Starkville via Memphis, where he's been the defensive coordinator the last two seasons. Previously he was at Ohio State for three seasons, and also had stops at Maryland and Florida.
"We're so excited for Coach Barnes to join us at Mississippi State," Lebby said in a statement. "He's a tremendous teacher and leader of men and has a remarkable track record of success. Coach Barnes has helped guide teams to some of the biggest stages in all of college football – from conference title games to the College Football Playoff – and has been instrumental in the development of numerous all-league and All-American players."
Mississippi State has yet to make the formal announcement of Bell's addition.
