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Mississippi State football: 5 questions as Bulldogs reportedly target Jeff Lebby

By Ethan Lee

Oklahoma offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby stands beside Oklahoma's Dillon Gabriel (8) before a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Kansas State Wildcats at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022.oujournal -- print1
Oklahoma offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby stands beside Oklahoma's Dillon Gabriel (8) before a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Kansas State Wildcats at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022.oujournal -- print1 /
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Nathaniel Watson #14 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs
STARKVILLE, MISSISSIPPI – SEPTEMBER 09: Nathaniel Watson #14 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs reacts during the game against the Arizona Wildcats at Davis Wade Stadium on September 09, 2023 in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images) /

What will happen with Mississippi State’s defense?

Generally speaking, it’s easier to piece together a good defense in Starkville than it is to put a good offense on the field. At least that’s been the case historically. So, in theory, this won’t be an issue.

But while fans of this hire are breaking out champagne and celebrating the potential MSU will have on offense, it’s still worth wondering what will happen on the other side of the ball.

As MSU moves away from a defensive head coach leading things and the new head coach starts to reset what the Mississippi State football program looks like, State will shift away from what Zach Arnett brought to the table. MSU is also losing great athletes like Jett Johnson and Bookie Watson.

There’s going to be some change on that side of the ball.

Will Lebby retain any defensive assistants to maintain some sort of stability there? Will be he willing to just go into a full reset and try to find new life in the process? Does his close relationship with numerous other coaches and programs across the country give him an advantage in seeking out a new DC?

Lebby and the offense will be the focal point of many headlines for several reasons, but the Bulldogs will still need a moderately decent defense to find success in the SEC.

That’s especially true as the University of Texas and University of Oklahoma join the conference.

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