Mississippi State has found its new head coach, hiring Oklahoma offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby.
Lebby has reportedly agreed to a five-year deal, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel.
The Bulldogs announced the hire Sunday afternoon, introducing Lebby as “An offensive mastermind, a dynamic play caller and the engineer of some of the most feared offenses in college football.”
An offensive mastermind, a dynamic play caller and the engineer of some of the most feared offenses in college football.
Please join us in welcoming the 36th head football coach in program history, Jeff Lebby!
📰 » https://t.co/VOgdIY8aMC@Coach_Leb | #HailState🐶 pic.twitter.com/LEY36LlLeD
— Mississippi State Football (@HailStateFB) November 26, 2023
“Being the head coach at Mississippi State is the opportunity of a lifetime,” Tebby said (via Jon Sokoloff of WCBI). “My family and I are fired up to engrain ourselves in this community, build relationships with our players, and hit the recruiting trail.”
The Bulldogs fired head coach Zach Arnett Monday. The former Mississippi State defensive coordinator had spent less than a year in the role after assuming the post following coach Mike Leach’s death.
The Bulldogs are 5-7 this season, after finishing 9-4 in 2022.
In Lebby, the Bulldogs get an offensive mind who has helped the Sooners jump to the top of the FBS offensive statistics. Oklahoma ranks fourth in FBS with 502 yards per game. The 39-year-old coach has a reputation for developing quarterbacks, and is expected to help Mississippi State land some top QB recruits.
Fans reacted with mixed thoughts to the news.
Good hire, knew it would be tough for OU to hold onto him after they grilled him for bringing Art Briles to the sideline
— Blue Bloods Bias (@bluebloodsbias) November 26, 2023
Best of luck Coach Lebby!! Thank you for your 2 years in Norman!
— Thomas (@OUFan919) November 26, 2023
Jeff Lebby: the latest example of failing upwards
— Rock Chalk Podcast (@RockChalkPod) November 26, 2023
OU fans are commenting things in here when they have had nothing nice to say about Lebby all szn. Let Mississippi State have their new coach and hope that he thrives now that he’s left a poverty wanna be blue blood program like UO
— OKstateReport (@okstatereport) November 26, 2023
This member of Sooner Nation will sure miss you Coach Lebby but I wish you all the best (except when you play the Sooners)!
— Victoria Neafus (@Cyclingchick19) November 26, 2023