Mississippi State working to bounce back from rough first season under Jeff Lebby

Mississippi State coach Jeff Lebby is in his second season and still seeking his first Southeastern Conference win with the Bulldogs.

However, Lebby doesn’t evaluate his first season solely based on the Bulldogs’ lack of league victories.

“The outcome wasn’t what we wanted or expected,” he said. “But if you understand football and watch, you can see it’s a group of players who believe, and that attracts people. There’s a strong sense of belief, passion, toughness, and confidence within the program right now.”

Previously the offensive coordinator at Ole Miss and Oklahoma, Lebby was regarded as a promising talent when he was hired at State after the 2023 regular season. His new role came with significant challenges.

The Bulldogs had experienced a turbulent year, including the unexpected death of coach Mike Leach during preparations for the team’s bowl game. Defensive coordinator Zach Arnett stepped in but couldn’t complete a full season as the Bulldogs finished with a 5-7 record.