Mississippi State University fans have much to anticipate in the 2024-2025 football season, as the team embarks on a new journey under first-year head coach Jeff Lebby. After the trials of last season, following the legacy of late head coach Mike Leach, there is a shared optimism that the Bulldogs are on the verge of a brighter future.
In the wake of Leach’s tragic passing, Mississippi State turned to Zach Arnett, Leach’s defensive coordinator, to lead the team through a challenging period. While Arnett managed to secure a victory in the 2023 ReliaQuest Bowl, the rest of the season fell short of expectations. The warning signs were evident early on, beginning with the season opener against Southeastern Louisiana. Although the Bulldogs emerged with a 48-7 victory, the game was far more competitive than it should have been against an FCS opponent—a stark contrast to the previous year’s dominant performance against East Tennessee State.
Despite a gritty win over Arizona, a team that would later earn a spot in a New Year’s Day bowl game, the Bulldogs’ season quickly unraveled. Mississippi State dropped six of its next eight games, leading Athletic Director Zac Selmon to make a decisive move to dismiss Arnett and appoint Greg Knox as interim head coach. Knox guided the Bulldogs to a win over in-state rival Southern Miss but fell short against Ole Miss. However, the close 17-7 loss to the Rebels hinted at the potential for a stronger future.
After a thorough national search, Selmon made the strategic choice to hire highly regarded Oklahoma offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby as Mississippi State’s 36th head football coach. This decision is particularly promising given the Bulldogs’ offensive struggles last season. Lebby brings with him the innovative Veer-and-Shoot offense, a dynamic system popularized by Art Briles and successfully employed by coaches like Josh Heupel at Tennessee and Lane Kiffin at Ole Miss. Notably, both Heupel and Kiffin previously relied on Lebby to implement this high-octane scheme.
Beyond revitalizing the offense, Lebby has also bolstered the defensive side of the ball by bringing in Coleman Hutzler from Alabama and Matt Barnes from Memphis as co-defensive coordinators. Hutzler, renowned for his work with special teams and linebackers at Alabama, adds a wealth of experience from one of the nation’s most successful programs. Barnes, with a proven track record as a defensive coordinator at Memphis, complements Hutzler’s expertise, forming a formidable coaching duo aimed at reinvigorating the Bulldogs’ defense.
While there’s plenty of reason for optimism, it is essential for Mississippi State fans to manage their expectations, as the team faces one of the toughest schedules in the country. Even with significant improvements under Lebby’s leadership and the revamped coaching staff, the Bulldogs’ record may not fully reflect their progress. Nonetheless, Mississippi State is poised to be competitive in every game, laying a strong foundation for success in the seasons to come.
