Where are you on Jeff Lebby?

[MSUDOG24]

I truly believed that his decision to keep Hutzler would cost him his job, can't tell you how utterly amazed I am in where we are. Believe there will be some bad days this season for that group just due to depth and injuries, but the result so far this year is something I never saw coming

For all of the grief that decision and Hutz himself received (deserved after last year), I'm surprised there weren't more comments on here about how well the defense played. Certainly not perfect and we still need some dudes and depth but I did a lot more hell yeah/17ing A fist pumping Saturday night than I have in awhile. Saw a lot of encouraging effort, speed and scheme.

Someone made a great point in a thread over the past few days about the response to the scoop and score. After what was the coolest, shocking and "exhilarating" (for the team and the rest of us) fake punt to keep things going only to have it turn into another "most MSU thing ever", we actually scored twice to take the lead back. That might have been the beginning of the end in years past but Jeff and the team seem to have a little something going on that is encouraging.

It may all go to hell in a handbasket but told my buddy after the game I'm done with, let's see about USM, now let's see about ASU, I need to see how we do against NIU, but now we have TN and the SEC (think I predicted 51/24). Running through my head on the way home after the game ...

 

[retire the banner]

Most of you have no idea the situation Lebby took over last season. It was comparable to Mullen in 2009, but worse in terms of talent on OL/DL. Leach recruited for his scheme and then we had one year of a lame duck coach. The roster was a mess. It is sort of amazing what he has done from year 1 to year 2

 

[gtowndawg]

If injuries haven’t totally ruined our season after Saturday, the team I saw all of September is winning in Gainesville and in Fayetteville and will have a chance to pick off somebody else.

I tend to agree. If we played them at home, I think at least one, if not both, would be a lock.

 

[CaptainFalcon]

Most of you have no idea the situation Lebby took over last season. It was comparable to Mullen in 2009, but worse in terms of talent on OL/DL. Leach recruited for his scheme and then we had one year of a lame duck coach. The roster was a mess. It is sort of amazing what he has done from year 1 to year 2

Our 2009 roster was miles better than the 2024 roster. We had 11 dudes eventually drafted off the 09 team. We didn’t have a single guy even invited to the combine last year, and I’m struggling to come up with names that are still here that are sure fire draft picks. There may end up being a handful that end up getting picked on Day 3 before their careers are over, but it won’t be 11 guys.

Our roster last year was easily our worst of the last 20 years. And probably the worst at the LOS in many of our lifetimes.

 

[retire the banner]

Our 2009 roster was miles better than the 2024 roster. We had 11 dudes eventually drafted off the 09 team. We didn’t have a single guy even invited to the combine last year, and I’m struggling to come up with names that are still here that are sure fire draft picks. There may end up being a handful that end up getting picked on Day 3 before their careers are over, but it won’t be 11 guys.

Our roster last year was easily our worst of the last 20 years. And probably the worst at the LOS in many of our lifetimes.

You’re right. Not a good comparison on my part. We were a mess last year. Still a long way to go

 

[skip dog]

I think he is doing more w/ less.

I agree, there were some mistakes in the TN game (couple of play calls and clock), BUT......he is a young head coach and is going to learn through trial and error.......so I stand with he is doing a GREAT job w/ far less than others, and we need to stand with him, and up the game

 

[MSTerritoryDog]

I said Yes. A lot will be clarified this weekend. We’ve had a good start to this season, but our two big games were at home. Of course I’d like to bring home a W this weekend, but if we play with the same tenacity as we did this past weekend then I think you’ll still see the Undecided votes lean toward ‘Yes’.

 

[PBRME]

I’m on the positive side of undecided. Need to see how this season plays out. Then I need to see how he handles the portal to improve both sides of the line. I said it after Southern Miss, and still stand by it. We are talented enough, I didn’t say deep, I’m talking starters, to be competitive in the SEC. What’s holding us back is the o and d line.

I know I know, but TN. Yes we were competitive. If we actually went in the portal and got difference makers on either side of the line we win that game easily. That game is a great example of how bad we whiffed in the portal to fix a major problem.

 

[RBcoach]

I don't think he is much of a recruiter. Even though I know he is kinda mirroring Kiffin's mindset with the Transfer Portal but instate recruiting needs more attention. His game management is about what I expect from a year 2 head coach and will only get better. Play calling I think was good. I am very happy with defense this year. I think we got a good coaching staff just need some recruiters.

 

[Klovis]

He's the guy for the job.

I just hope a big program doesnt come and take him from us after he gets us rolling.

I know I know... woe is me a Mississippi State fan.

 

[aTotal360]

Not all that surprising. That’s where games are won and lost. Every elite team prioritizes both positions every year. And they want 7-8 elite guys on each line at minimum. And they pay big $ for them.

We should do the same, no? I know we can't afford 7-8 good ones, but you'd think we could pull half that many.

 

[paindonthurt]

Which is shocking because he was a lineman. Gives me a little pause.

So because lebby played on the line means it should be really easy to get top tier SEC quality lineman?

I swear some of you should post way less, and before you say it, that would make me post way less.

 

[paindonthurt]

I think the first 6 months he just did a lot of observing what was going on to actually make an informed decision on what needed to change rather than just coming in guns blazing making knee jerk reactions.

I honestly feel like i remember seeing him a decent amount. Pretty positive he was cruising dudy noble that first baseball season talking to people.

 

[retire the banner]

I don't think he is much of a recruiter. Even though I know he is kinda mirroring Kiffin's mindset with the Transfer Portal but instate recruiting needs more attention. His game management is about what I expect from a year 2 head coach and will only get better. Play calling I think was good. I am very happy with defense this year. I think we got a good coaching staff just need some recruiters.

Lebby is a very good recruiter

 

[patdog]

I think he is doing more w/ less.

I agree, there were some mistakes in the TN game (couple of play calls and clock), BUT......he is a young head coach and is going to learn through trial and error.......so I stand with he is doing a GREAT job w/ far less than others, and we need to stand with him, and up the game

Both coaches made mistakes in that game. If you want to talk poor clock management, Huepel let the clock run out on him near FG range & with 2 time outs in his pocket. But Lebby did a lot right on that game too. We can nit pick here & there but overall we played about as well as we can play.

 

[patdog]

Lebby is a very good recruiter

No. He’s not. He’s average at best.

 

[retire the banner]

No. He’s not. He’s average at best.

Dead wrong. Just like you’ve been wrong about everything related to Jeff Lebby and Selmon since they arrived

 

[Deltaduckhunter]

When Leach died, I thought we would be in the wilderness for 3 - 4 years because the whole program was geared to his approach. If we continue playing at the level we have so far and pull off a couple of more wins, I think we are ahead of the schedule I had in my head. Granted the transfer portal era has helped tremendously, but I'm not sure how many coaches could turn around our situation quicker.

 

[patdog]

Dead wrong. Just like you’ve been wrong about everything related to Jeff Lebby and Selmon since they arrived

Checks roster talent rankings. &tate is 14th in SEC & is 0-9 in SEC under Lebby. That ain’t great recruiting.

 

[retire the banner]

Checks roster talent rankings. &tate is 14th in SEC & is 0-9 in SEC under Lebby. That ain’t great recruiting.

Are you actually this simple? As mentioned earlier, you have no understanding of the state of the program when Lebby took over. Worse than when Mullen took over for Croom. Only reasonable comparison is 03 when Croom was hired after the last few years of Sherrill. Roster was a total mess and he is starting to turn it around. He has a reputation of a being a great recruiter and has done a good job of turning over the roster in one season. Still a long way to go

 

[paindonthurt]

Both coaches made mistakes in that game. If you want to talk poor clock management, Huepel let the clock run out on him near FG range & with 2 time outs in his pocket. But Lebby did a lot right on that game too. We can nit pick here & there but overall we played about as well as we can play.

Huepels clock management there was really bad. How did he take 2 timeouts into half there?

 

[RBcoach]

I don't think he is a great recruiter or he just isn't emphasizing high school recruiting. I still think you have to have some success with HS recruiting.

 

[DoggieDaddy13]

We had a great September and the team played their asses off against UT. Made a few critical mistakes, but fought through the whole game. That's all I wanted to see.
If you can't see them giving it all they got, you're just a bad fan.
Lebby is learning as a head coach. He may not end up being that great, but he's earned our full support this year.
Hopefully we can overcome the injury bug, keep playing hard, and get at least two more wins. I'm thinking we can get 3 now.

 

[aTotal360]

So because lebby played on the line means it should be really easy to get top tier SEC quality lineman?

I swear some of you should post way less, and before you say it, that would make me post way less.

Take your meds. All I'm saying is that it's surprising that OL is arguably the weakest position we have. And yes, I do find that odd because Lebby was an olineman himself. As much **** as we threw at Mullen and Hevesy, they did a good job at evaluating and developing "diamonds in the rough" when it came to the OL.

Raise your sensitivity threshold.

 

[aTotal360]

No. He’s not. He’s average at best.

2026 Industry Football Team Recruiting Rankings

A list of the top 2026 Football teams in order of recruiting rankings solely based off of the Rivals Industry Ranking

www.on3.com

 

[paindonthurt]

Take your meds. All I'm saying is that it's surprising that OL is arguably the weakest position we have. And yes, I do find that odd because Lebby was an olineman himself. As much **** as we threw at Mullen and Hevesy, they did a good job at evaluating and developing "diamonds in the rough" when it came to the OL.

Raise your sensitivity threshold.

The difference in our o line bt year 1 and 2 is very noticeable.

Id tell you to take your meds but they don’t make meds that make you smarter……yet

 

[MSTerritoryDog]

He has done all the right things this season. The next hurdle is to take it on the road against a great opponent. He’ll also have to work around the injury situation. This weekend should give us an indication of whether we have a good coach or a great coach.

 

[patdog]

Huepels clock management there was really bad. How did he take 2 timeouts into half there?

It was end of the game. UT should have at least attempted a game winning FG at the end.

 

[patdog]

Are you actually this simple? As mentioned earlier, you have no understanding of the state of the program when Lebby took over. Worse than when Mullen took over for Croom. Only reasonable comparison is 03 when Croom was hired after the last few years of Sherrill. Roster was a total mess and he is starting to turn it around. He has a reputation of a being a great recruiter and has done a good job of turning over the roster in one season. Still a long way to go

This is Lebby's roster. With 2 recruiting classes and 4 transfer portal windows, it's almost entirely his players.

 

[aTotal360]

He has done all the right things this season. The next hurdle is to take it on the road against a great opponent. He’ll also have to work around the injury situation. This weekend should give us an indication of whether we have a good coach or a great coach.

Lack of depth on the OL and DL is going to hurt us.

I feel strongly that Lebby is a good coach. I just question his ability to get enough players to consistently beat our peers. That's an NIL issue as well. Not all on his shoulders.

When you take the job at Mississippi State, you have to do more with less. Period.

 

[paindonthurt]

It was end of the game. UT should have at least attempted a game winning FG at the end.

Damn, maybe my buzz was larger than i thought!

 

[paindonthurt]

This is Lebby's roster. With 2 recruiting classes and 4 transfer portal windows, it's almost entirely his players.

Yes but he had to flip the entire roster from likely the worst roster we've ever had and regardless of what the rankings say hes 4-1 and competing against teams with much better rankings.

 

[retire the banner]

This is Lebby's roster. With 2 recruiting classes and 4 transfer portal windows, it's almost entirely his players.

Again, you’re being way too simple about this. Our program, in terms of attractiveness to recruits, was in the worst shape it’s been in 20 seasons. We completely destroyed all the momentum built from Mullen.

 

[patdog]

Again, you’re being way too simple about this. Our program, in terms of attractiveness to recruits, was in the worst shape it’s been in 20 seasons. We completely destroyed all the momentum built from Mullen.

His 2026 class is ranked #44 right now. If we're going to have to give him 4-5 years to start recruiting, we've hired the wrong coach. And really, all we have is your word that he's even a good recruiter to begin with. Because all objective evidence we've seen so far says he's average at best.

 

[dickiedawg]

It’s really amazing how many have voted yes (this includes me).
I expected a lot more undecided, and at least one to say “How the 17 can anyone say he’s the right guy before he has won an SEC game?”

 

[Darryl Steight]

Which is shocking because he was a lineman. Gives me a little pause.

I get it, but he did apparently do a good job of upgrading his OL coach, and they made a few moves late that were obviously for the better. That gives me a little confidence going forward.

 

[Darryl Steight]

I truly believed that his decision to keep Hutzler would cost him his job, can't tell you how utterly amazed I am in where we are. Believe there will be some bad days this season for that group just due to depth and injuries, but the result so far this year is something I never saw coming

I read it as he believed Hutz would be good long term, so he kept faith in him. But then in what I can only see as a brilliant move - he hired Rhoads and McIntyre to make damn sure the learning curve sped up this year.

 

[patdog]

It’s really amazing how many have voted yes (this includes me).
I expected a lot more undecided, and at least one to say “How the 17 can anyone say he’s the right guy before he has won an SEC game?”

Even more surprising, 2 people voted we should go ahead and move on from him. Hell, even I'm willing to give him a chance based on what I've seen so far this year.

 

[LandArchDawg]

He's already earned more time (2+ more years) so far this season, assuming the season doesn't end in an absolute implosion.

 

[LandArchDawg]

We're about 3 good DL and 3 good OL from where I'd like to be.

DL was good until two of them got hurt for the season. That may point to strength & conditioning issues, but we'll have to wait and see how things continue to play out.