Is Jeff Lebby on the hot seat as Mississippi State football coach?
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STARKVILLE — Mississippi State football has improved by three wins in 2025, but the Bulldogs still won’t finish the regular season with a winning record.
The Bulldogs (5-6, 1-6 SEC) are facing No. 6 Ole Miss (10-1, 6-1) at Davis Wade Stadium in the regular-season finale on Nov. 28 (11 a.m., ABC). They need a win to clinch bowl eligibility for the first time since 2022.
Would a loss and another missed bowl game put second-year coach Jeff Lebby on the hot seat? Let’s dive in.
What’s gone wrong with Mississippi State football in 2025
Preseason expectations weren’t high for MSU in 2025 after a 2-10 record last season. But perhaps those expectations were altered when MSU started 4-0 with a dramatic upset win vs Arizona State in Week 2.
MSU was competitive in the start of SEC play, but kept losing close games to Tennessee, Florida and Texas. Lebby finally got his first SEC win in Week 10 at Arkansas to break a 16-game SEC losing streak that began before he was hired. But since then, MSU has been blown out by Georgia and Missouri leading into the Egg Bowl.
The defense hasn’t been as good as the start of the season, especially in stopping the run. Offensively, Mississippi State has fought through inconsistencies with Blake Shapen at quarterback. Many fans have called for freshman Kamario Taylor to take Shapen’s place, but Lebby has stuck with Shapen.
What’s gone well for Mississippi State football in 2025
The Bulldogs began the season 4-0, highlighted by the Arizona State win where fans stormed the field at Davis Wade Stadium. The other three wins were nonconference games too against Southern Miss, Alcorn State and Northern Illinois.
While the defense has struggled lately, it is still much improved from 2024 when it was the SEC’s worst. The Bulldogs upgraded their pass rush while Kelley Jones has broken out as a top cornerback.
Shapen suffered a season-ending injury in Week 4 of 2024, but has started every game in 2025. Mississippi State made good additions in the transfer portal with running back Fluff Bothwell and wide receivers Brenen Thompson and Anthony Evans III.
Firing Jeff Lebby would put Mississippi State in crowded coaching search
If Mississippi State were to fire Lebby, it would join a very competitive market for a new coach. In the SEC alone, LSU, Auburn, Florida and Arkansas have already fired their coaches and have been searching for a long time. Ole Miss could also open if Lane Kiffin leaves.
Virginia Tech, Oklahoma State and Colorado State have already hired new coaches.
The early signing period is Dec. 3-5 for the 2026 recruiting class, too.
If MSU fired Lebby, it would be on its fourth coach in five seasons.
What is Jeff Lebby’s record at Mississippi State?
Lebby is 7-16 in two seasons at Mississippi State. He’s 1-14 in SEC play.
If Mississippi State loses to Ole Miss, his .292 winning percentage would be the program’s worst since Charley Shira, who coached Mississippi State from 1967-72.
What is Jeff Lebby’s buyout at Mississippi State?
Lebby’s buyout is 75% of his remaining salary.
If Mississippi State fired him on Dec. 1, his buyout would be $11,006,250.
Jeff Lebby contract, salary details
Lebby’s salary is $4.35 million in 2025. That ranks 55th nationally, according to the USA TODAY database, and second to last in the SEC ahead of only Vanderbilt’s Clark Lea.
Lebby is under contract through the 2028 season with an annual salary increase of $15,000.
Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for The Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@usatodayco.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Jeff Lebby on hot seat? Mississippi State coach’s buyout, contract
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