Mississippi State University football’s struggle against the University of Florida on Saturday morning was hard for me to watch. The high hopes and excitement that surrounded the team at the start of the season have quickly faded, leaving fans, students and the community frustrated.

Expectations were high under head coach Jeff Lebby’s leadership, particularly with his offensive system, but the team has struggled to deliver. While this season has been a disappointment, it does not mean we are doomed long-term.

I was one of the first to predict that Mississippi State would make a bowl game this year, with big things to come under Lebby and his staff. But, boy, was I wrong. The season started with a promising win against a lower-tier Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) opponent. But since then, Mississippi State has suffered brutal and devastating defeats on home turf.

Fans do not have much to look forward to for the remainder of the season, especially with five of the top 10 teams still on the schedule. However, this does not mean we should give up hope for the future.

To the fans and students reading this, I have one message: do not lose hope. We may be in a dark place, but we will not stay here forever. We have a talented recruiter and an exceptional play-caller on our sideline every game. I firmly believe Lebby will turn this program around.

Many on X, formerly known as Twitter, have called for Lebby’s firing. I think removing Mississippi State’s 36th head coach – and third in two years – would be a disaster for the program and its culture. Success takes time, and firing him now would only set us back further.

What many fans do not realize is that this situation is not entirely Lebby’s fault. Under the previous administrations of Mike Leach and Zach Arnett, recruiting did not reach its full potential. While Leach was an offensive mastermind, his recruiting efforts did not always bring in the best talent. This is one of the unfortunate realities we are facing today.

Moreover, Arnett struggled to secure top in-state recruits before his tenure ended. But there is reason for optimism. Despite the challenges, Lebby has brought in some of the most talented players Mississippi State has seen, even amid blowout losses to lower-tier teams. High-quality, high-potential recruits still see a future here, and that speaks volumes.

Lebby’s offensive system, which he helped innovate and perfect during his time at programs like UCF and Oklahoma, has shown success at other schools where coaches who run similar schemes are thriving.

Programs like the University of Tennessee and Ole Miss, led by coaches who have taken pages from the same playbook, are competing at high levels offensively. This type of offense works and it is just a matter of time before it takes off here at Mississippi State. We will not be down for long, especially on the offensive side of the ball.

Alumni and outsiders believe in the program as well, evidenced by an $8 million anonymous donation towards athletic funds. This significant contribution could be a turning point for Lebby’s recruitment strategy.

Lebby needs time. While some criticize his lack of head coaching experience, it is clear he’s doing everything he can to turn things around. I believe he will — but it will not happen overnight.