Mississippi State‘s Jeff Lebby is building his own program in Starkville, being a first-time head coach after years of being an offensive coordinator. One of his values is making sure to be genuine in his approach. Not just in the recruiting world but to everyone involved with the team, making sure to bring the “genuine juice” every single day.
Lebby does have some literal juice to get his day started, going to Starbucks to get some espresso. This gets him going in what can be some long days of being a head coach in the SEC.
“I am a caffeine guy,” Lebby said. “I don’t mind a 6 shot espresso to get it going. This morning — a little bit random — going through Starbucks, getting my 6 shot espresso. She said ‘Why do you need all six shots?’ I said ‘I’m going to get it going this morning, just like last Friday and Thursday. It’s what I do every single day.’ So, that’s how I get it going.”
In reality, Lebby gets his mindset about being a football coach from his father, Mike. Playing for his Dad at Andrews High School growing up, there was a genuine appreciation for being able to make a living off a game. Lebby’s late father never went higher than the high school level but keeping the same appreciation is a critical part of his culture, no matter his stop.
“He had this incredible juice about him every day,” Lebby said. “He had genuine love for getting to do what we get to do. I think so much of that is exactly why the way I am today. Because I saw him to do it. To me, if it’s 5A high school football in the state of Texas or being an SEC head coach, being grateful for opportunity, having real perspective, being thankful for what we get to do and how we get to do it — that matters.”
Mississippi State has been in a tough spot for the past couple of years. After Mike Leach passed away, Zach Arnett took over but lasted just one year before being relieved. The Bulldogs needed a long-term solution to get things back on balance.
Lebby certainly has the coaching pedigree and seemingly has the right mindset to have success as a head coach. No matter the results, everyone in StarkVegas knows Lebby will be appreciative for the job he holds and excited to attack every single day.
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