Mississippi State Nov 11, 2023; College Station, Texas, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs helmet on the sideline during the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports
By Arthur Weinstein on

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.”

“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.

[Pete Thamel, ESPN]

About Arthur Weinstein

Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.

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