Blake Shapen states Jeff Lebby stresses consistency

Blake Shapen and Jeff Lebby are both experiencing Starkville together for the first time. Both were a part of Big 12 programs in 2023, with Shapen playing at Baylor, and Lebby being the offensive coordinator at Oklahoma. Lebby has never been a head coach before and is learning how to lead a program.

Shapen has never directly worked with Lebby either. So, when asked what aspect of coaching has been different from Lebby, Shapen answered with consistency. Being pushed to reach a certain level and doing so with consistent moves is what Lebby’s preaching.

“Consistency,” Shapen said. “There’s an expectation level and if you don’t reach it, you need to find a way to reach it. I think that’s the thing I haven’t had in the past — to be pushed like I’m being pushed right now to the level that I need to get. I’m very blessed. That’s what I need in my career.”

This is year No. 5 of college football for Shapen. Nearly 30 games of experience are on the resume, all with the Baylor Bears. Shapen has thrown for 5,574 yards, 36 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions throughout his career but only played one full season in Waco, occurring in 2022.

Shapen transfers to Mississippi State for what could be his final year, hoping to find a more consistent structure. Thus far, Lebby has been able to provide that and is hoping results prove as such once the season begins.

Lebby certainly found consistency in the past two seasons at Oklahoma. Dillon Gabriel, when healthy, was the starting quarterback. The two had a long relationship dating back to time at UCF and understood each other. As a result, the Sooners won a lot of games, including 10 in 2023.

Not many people are expecting the Bulldogs to perform well in 2024. Only Vanderbilt was voted lower than them in the preseason SEC media poll. Having one of the tougher conference schedules out there certainly does not help, playing half the teams predicted to finish in the top 10.

There must be a belief in the building that if Shapen can follow the mold Lebby had in Norman, a few wins will follow. Sure, the program has gone through some serious changes over the last few offseasons. Settling into an identity and performing it at a high level, some people will be surprised about Mississippi State’s final record in December.