We’re a little less than a month away from the start of fall camp in Starkville, Mississippi, and excitement for the Jeff Lebby era seems to be reaching an all-time high. Bulldog fans are optimistic about the program’s future. What Mississippi State fans like about Coach Lebby is how quietly but efficiently he and his staff seem to be running things since being hired in December. From embracing the hardworking attitude of the fan base to attacking each day like it’s their last, creating this sort of excitement that State fans expect from the football program.

From a football perspective, Coach Lebby, despite not having been a Head Coach before, brings a certain offensive explosiveness to Starkville that will remind State fans of the days under Coach Leach. His stints at UCF, Ole Miss, and Oklahoma saw him produce offensive numbers that ranked inside the top 20 each year. The 2024 offensive unit, however, will be without a single starter from the 2023 season. While some may view this as a potential disaster due to the lack of returning leadership, others see it as an opportunity for a new coaching staff to implement a fresh system.

From a realist standpoint, last season on the offensive side of the ball was a total embarrassment to the brand of football that Mississippi State is known for. The previous coaching staff took Mississippi State’s talent on the roster and ran the unit into the ground. There were rumors of broken promises, incompetent playcalling, and coaching malpractice by the previous staff. Coach Lebby and his staff look to change that, bringing their touch to the Mississippi State offense while honoring the past and giving Mississippi State fans an offensive unit to be excited about.

There’ll be new names, faces, and a new offensive mindset to learn for Mississippi State fans, but the future is bright for the Bulldogs under the watchful eye of Coach Jeff Lebby. Unless an issue arises, Coach Lebby has said he will run duties as the Head Coach and the on-the-field offensive coordinator. He gives the Bulldog’s offensive unit a personal approach that some programs must overcome the mountain of success.

From a roster standpoint, Mississippi State fans can expect the Baylor transfer, Blake Shapen, to be the starting quarterback while turning to Kelly Akharaiyi, Kevin Coleman, Justin Ball, and Seydou Traore to provide the Bulldogs with an extra layer of explosiveness on the offensive side of the ball. Shapen comes to Mississippi State with two years of starting experience from Baylor, giving them an additional layer of veteran leadership needed to win in the Southeastern Conference. Adding the cherry on top for Coach Lebby and the Mississippi State offensive unit was a North Texas transfer at center in Ethan Miner. Last season, Miner did not allow a sack for the Mean Green offensive unit.

It might take a season to iron things out. Still, the future of the Mississippi State offensive unit is bright. It will be in a better position under Coach Lebby than last year’s debacle, giving the Bulldogs a chance to win more games and return to the postseason for the first time in two years.