Report: Jeff Lebby will retain Mississippi State DL coach David Turner

Mississippi State will reportedly retain defensive line coach David Turner, according to ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg.

“Source: Mississippi State is retaining defensive line coach David Turner under new coach Jeff Lebby,” Rittenberg wrote on Twitter. “Turner is on his third stint at Mississippi State and has significant SEC/Power 5 experience from Florida, Kentucky and other stops.”

The Bulldogs just hired new head coach Jeff Lebby, who spent the last two seasons as Oklahoma’s offensive coordinator.

Turner led the Bulldogs’ unit from 2007-09 and again from 2013-15. He spent last season at Georgia Tech as the team’s assistant head coach and defensive run game coordinator.

In addition to Florida (2019-21) and Kentucky (2010-12), he also had stops at Texas A&M (2016-17), Alabama (2006), Vanderbilt (2002-05), Minnesota (2001), Virginia (1997-2000), NC State (1995-96) and a first stint at Kentucky (1993-94).

Jeff Lebby explains decision to take Mississippi State job

The new head coach pulled back the curtain on his decision to vacate his position as Oklahoma offensive coordinator and head to Starkville.

“When you look at Mississippi State right now, there’s just incredible leadership from [MSU president] Dr. Keenum to, obviously, our new AD Zac Selmon,” Lebby said. “That, for me, was just was incredibly important as you step into this role for the first time in my career, knowing that there’s going to be great trust. There’s going to be great alignment with the people that you’re working with and for every single day.

“Then, you just have great peace about being able to go get it done the way we need to get it done. So incredibly thankful for all of my stops. Again, so many people helped me get to the point that that I’m in today. I’m looking forward to working together here at State with our great leadership, our fan base and our locker room to get this thing where we need to get it.”

Lebby will replace first-year head coach Zach Arnett, who the school fired on Nov. 13. The head coaching job will serve as the first of Lebby’s coaching career. He previously served as an offensive coordinator at programs such as Oklahoma, Ole Miss, and UCF.

Lebby was a highly sought-after asset. Oklahoma finished the 2023 regular season as the No. 4 offense in the nation, averaging 502.4 yards per game. Lebby was pivotal in the Sooners’ 34-30 upset win over Texas in the Red River Showdown earlier this season.