Mississippi State has officially unveiled Jeff Lebby as their new head coach, following an announcement made by the school on Sunday. Lebby, who has an impressive track record as an offensive coordinator at institutions like Oklahoma, Ole Miss, and UCF, is known for his high-tempo and prolific offensive strategies.
Over the years, Lebby’s offensive prowess has been on full display. Since 2019, he has been the coordinator of an offense that has scored 50 or more points on 14 occasions, making him the leader among all active offensive coordinators in this category.
Lebby’s appointment comes with a five-year deal, as reported by ESPN sources. He steps into the shoes of Zach Arnett, who held the head coaching position at Mississippi State for less than a year. Arnett’s tenure followed the passing of the legendary Mike Leach.
In response to Lebby’s arrival, athletic director Zac Selmon expressed his confidence, stating, “I am confident that Jeff is the perfect leader for the next exciting chapter of Mississippi State football. He will bring an exciting brand of football, elite student-athlete development, and a winning culture to Starkville, all while doing so with high integrity.”
Lebby becomes the fifth full-time head coach at Mississippi State since Dan Mullen’s departure for Florida after the 2017 season. The program’s expectations were recalibrated under Mullen’s guidance, culminating in a No. 1 ranking in 2014, which marked a significant milestone in the school’s football history.
Lebby’s coaching journey has been shaped by his time at Baylor from 2008 to 2016, where he incorporated principles from Art Briles’ offense into his coaching philosophy. Throughout his career, he has also worked alongside prolific offensive minds such as Josh Heupel and Lane Kiffin.
In 2023, Lebby played a pivotal role in Oklahoma’s offense, which ranked in the Top 6 nationally in total offense, scoring offense, and passing offense. Taking the reins at Mississippi State presents a unique challenge, as the school is known for its tough competition in the SEC, where a different style of play is often required to contend with powerhouse teams like Alabama, LSU, and Texas A&M.
Expressing his excitement, Jeff Lebby stated, “Being the head coach at Mississippi State is the opportunity of a lifetime. My family and I are fired up to engrain ourselves in this community, build relationships with our players, and hit the recruiting trail. This is a special place with special people and a football program with a storied tradition.”