And it looks like it’s happening. Former Oklahoma Sooners offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby will reportedly be the next Mississippi State football head coach.
It looks like the Mississippi State football team has definitely found a new head coach. According to Pete Thamel, MSU will now be led by Jeff Lebby.
This was expected after Ross Dellenger reported Zac Selmon and the Bulldogs chose to target Lebby.
While it at one point looked like the Bulldogs might pursue more proven options to be their next head coach, Selmon is indeed taking Oklahoma’s offensive coordinator away from the Sooners and bringing him and his veer-and-shoot offensive pedigree to Starkville.
Lebby, now truly reported to be the next leader of the MSU Bulldogs, brings noteworthy offensive credentials with him. His schemes have helped Brent Venables get the Sooners back to winning on the football field, even if there has been some scrutiny and seeming tension at times in Norman.
Sources: Oklahoma OC Jeff Lebby has agreed to a five-year deal to become the next head coach at Mississippi State. A deal is expected to be announced soon.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) November 26, 2023
Lebby’s offense has been refined over the years. If his offense reminds you of what Baylor was running around a decade ago, there’s a good reason for that. His offensive philosophy and pedigree got its start with the Baylor Bears where he coached under Art Briles. After Briles was moved on from in Waco, Lebby continued on to coach in the college ranks, taking his talents to Southeastern, the UCF Knights, and later Lane Kiffin’s Ole Miss Rebels.
From there, he went to Oklahoma.
Mississippi State football reportedly set to hire Jeff Lebby as next Bulldogs head coach
Lebby’s offense is known for up-tempo and spreading the field. There’s plenty of RPOs, sweeps, and screens. He will spread things out. The offense will score points.
He’s never been a head coach before and is moving into this role after bouncing around every few years as an assistant coach. But, due to his his stops at Ole Miss and Oklahoma, he theoretically understands how to rebuild a program and how to do it in a hurry.
Lebby’s offense isn’t without its own limitations and there have been critiques of his playcalling. It’s worth wondering how his schemes would translate in the immediate time frame to the talent that’s in Starkville.
On top of that, there’s his connection to Briles, which caused controversy in Norman when Briles was seen in Oklahoma attire at a Sooners game earlier this season.
Between that and the fact that he’s a first time head coach in the SEC, this is a bit of a gamble. This hire is one that is going to be met with concerns. But, if Lebby is willing to be flexible and learn and move forward, then things might work out for him on the field.
Time will tell how things unfold here.