The Zeitgeist List · coaching

Mississippi State: a football coaching history

National Program II#56 of 138–
See Mississippi State’s full 91-year Zeitgeist History →
← all coaches
Program GOAT
Mike Leach
Peaked at Power Program III
Built by
Dan Mullen
Regional Program II → National Program I (+22.2)
The fall
Charles Shira
National Program II → Regional Program III (−13.6)
Right now
Jeff Lebby
the 8th-best of Mississippi State's 13 coaches so far

Stature & coaches, 1936–2026

The program’s standing over time, with every coach’s tenure beneath it — read down to see who was there for each rise and fall.

program stature (★ = Dynasty-tier season)McKeenWalkerDavisShiraTylerBellardFelkerSherrillCroomMullenKnox19401960198020002020

Every coach

2024–now
Jeff Lebbycaretaker
Jeff Lebby slid Mississippi State from National Program I to National Program II in 3 seasons.
National Program II
7–18
2022–2023
Zach Arnettshort tenure
5–6
2020–2022
Mike Leachcaretaker
Mike Leach held Mississippi State at Power Program III for 3 seasons.
Power Program III
19–17
2018–2019
Joe Moorheadshort tenure
14–12
2017–2023
Greg Knoxshort tenure
2–1
2009–2017
Dan Mullenbuilder
Dan Mullen raised Mississippi State from Regional Program II to National Program I.
+22.2
69–46
2004–2008
Sylvester Croomcaretaker
Sylvester Croom slid Mississippi State from National Program III to Regional Program I in 5 seasons.
Regional Program I
21–38
1991–2003
Jackie Sherrillcaretaker
Jackie Sherrill moved Mississippi State from Regional Program I to National Program I in 13 seasons.
+11.6
74–76
1986–1990
Rockey Felkercaretaker
Rockey Felker slid Mississippi State from National Program II to National Program III in 5 seasons.
National Program III
21–34
1979–1985
Emory Bellardcaretaker
Emory Bellard moved Mississippi State from National Program II to National Program I in 7 seasons.
National Program I
37–42
1973–1978
Bob Tylerbuilder
Bob Tyler raised Mississippi State from Regional Program III to National Program II.
+13.9
39–25
1967–1972
Charles Shiracaretaker
Charles Shira slid Mississippi State from National Program II to Regional Program I in 6 seasons.
−13.6
16–45
1962–1966
Paul Daviscaretaker
Paul Davis held Mississippi State at National Program II for 5 seasons.
National Program II
20–28
1956–1961
Wade Walkercaretaker
Wade Walker held Mississippi State at National Program II for 6 seasons.
National Program II
22–32
1954–1955
Darrell Royalshort tenure
12–8
1952–1953
Murray Warmathshort tenure
10–6
1949–1951
Slick Mortoncaretaker
Slick Morton slid Mississippi State from National Program I to National Program II in 3 seasons.
−9.7
8–18
1939–1948
Allyn McKeenbuilder
Allyn McKeen raised Mississippi State from Regional Program II to National Program I.
+20.2
65–19
1938–1938
Spike Nelsonshort tenure
4–6
1936–1937
Ralph Sasseshort tenure
12–7