Jeff Lebby's inaugural staff for his first season with the Bulldogs is rounding into shape.
The first year head coach added several important members to the Mississippi State coaching staff this week, filling out many assistant roles.
First, a name which many Bulldogs fans likely are already familiar with, defensive line coach David Turner, returns to the staff. The veteran assistant has spent time with the program twice before (2007-09, 2013-15) and is in his third stint with the team.
He has helped develop 15 NFL Draft picks, including State greats like Fletcher Cox, Chris Jones and more.
In a statement released by the University, Lebby spoke on the addition of Turner, saying, "His reputation in college football as a defensive line coach is second to none (...) He's the reason Mississippi State is widely known as DLU."
Lebby also added multiple offensive assistants to the staff, filling out several more positional roles.
Matt Holacek is the quarterbacks coach, joining the program after spending his last four seasons alongside Lebby in Norman, OK in the same role.
"His ability to mold quarterbacks and his knowledge of and experience in our offense makes him the perfect addition to our staff at State," Lebby said.
Cody Kennedy, who spent the last three seasons at Arkansas, will serve as offensive line coach. Kennedy helped the Razorbacks put together some of the program's most potent offenses in school history, specifically through use of the run game.
Anthony Tucker, who spent time with Lebby at UCF previously, will serve as running backs coach and assistant head coach. Tucker has served in many offensive assistant roles throughout a long coaching career, including offensive coordinator. In his time alongside Lebby at UCF, the veteran assistant helped scheme some of the program's top units in its history.
"Coach Tucker has been instrumental in helping produce some of the country's most explosive and exciting offenses (...) He is a proven winner that has elevated the careers of so many under his tutelage, and we look forward to that continuing here at Mississippi State," said Lebby.
Finally, Jon Cooper was added to the staff as tight ends coach. Cooper, like Turner, previously spent time with Lebby at UCF where he served in the same role.
"He's very familiar with our style of play. Coach Cooper's expertise will be invaluable to us and will elevate the play of our tight ends," Lebby said, of the hire.
While both coordinator roles remain to be filled, the first year head coach's staff is rounding out to be a strong unit, specifically on the offensive side.
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