Mississippi State football adds veteran defensive mind to coaching staff

Another long-time FBS head coach is joining the Bulldogs coaching staff to help turn around the defense.

Nov 18, 2023; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; FIU Panthers head coach Mike MacIntyre during the second half against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Arkansas won 44-20. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images
Nov 18, 2023; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; FIU Panthers head coach Mike MacIntyre during the second half against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Arkansas won 44-20. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images | Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images

Mississippi State football needs to see significant improvements in 2025, and Jeff Lebby has made multiple key changes to his coaching staff to help assure that happens, adding OL coach Phil Loadholt, DE/OLB coach Vincent Dancy, and defensive analyst Paul Rhoads. On Friday, a fourth new face to the coaching staff was announced.

Mike MacIntyre joining Mississippi State Bulldogs coaching staff as defensive analyst

A second former power conference head coach is joining Jeff Lebby's coaching staff in Starkville for the 2025 season. Mike MacIntyre, who had stints as the head coach of San Jose State, Colorado, and FIU, will serve as a defensive analyst for Mississippi State. ESPN's Pete Thamel first reported the news.

Mike MacIntyre has 12 years of experience as a head coach at the FBS level. He became the head coach of San Jose State in 2010, and by 2012, he would lead the Spartans to their first double-digit win season since the '80s.

MacIntyre parlayed that success into a Power 5 job, becoming the head coach of Colorado ahead of the 2013 season. In 2016, MacIntyre's Buffaloes would win 10 games and reach the Pac-12 Championship Game. It was Colorado's first winning season since 2005, first bowl appearance since 2007, first double-digit win season since 2001, and first conference championship game appearance since 2005.

His tenure in Boulder would end two seasons later, but in 2022 he would again become a head coach, spending three seasons at FIU. In between his stints as a head coach MacIntyre served as the defensive coordinator for both Ole Miss and Memphis.

The 2019 Rebel defense was the best for that program in four seasons, and the 2020 Tiger defense finished third in the AAC in scoring. Prior to becoming a head coach, MacIntyre spent two years as the defensive coordinator at Duke, where he greatly improved the Blue Devil defense.

This is another logical move for Jeff Lebby and the Bulldogs. Much in the same vein as adding Paul Rhoads to the staff, brining in Mike MacIntyre brings another veteran presence to the defensive room to help guide DC Coleman Hutzler. State is doing what it can to take a big step forward defensively in 2025.