Mississippi State has officially hired Jeff Lebby as its new head football coach, the school announced Sunday.

Lebby has spent the last two seasons as offensive coordinator at Oklahoma, after previously holding the same position in 2020-21 at Ole Miss. He replaces Zach Arnett, who was fired 10 games into his first season on Nov. 13.

“As we continue to invest in excellence at Mississippi State, the future of our football program is incredibly bright with the addition of Jeff Lebby at the helm,” Mississippi State athletics director Zach Selmon said. “I am confident that Jeff is the perfect leader for the next exciting chapter of Mississippi State football. He will bring an exciting brand of football, elite student-athlete development, and a winning culture to Starkville, all while doing so with high integrity. He is a dynamic recruiter who will attract an elite coaching staff and the nation’s top talent.

“There is no doubt in my mind that Jeff’s leadership, vision, and resilient work ethic will take this program to incredible heights. We could not be more excited to welcome Jeff, his wife Staley, and their children Kora and Kane to the Mississippi State family. It is a great time to be a Bulldog and only going to get better.”

The 39-year-old Lebby is expected to arrive in Starkville on Sunday evening and will be introduced as head coach on Monday at Mississippi State, which finished its season at 5-7 after losing to Ole Miss 17-7 in Thursday night’s Egg Bowl. The Bulldogs elevated Arnett from defensive coordinator to head coach following the sudden death of Mike Leach last December.

In addition to his work Kiffin and the Rebels and with Brent Venables and the Sooners the last two years, Lebby was also Central Florida’s offensive coordinator under Josh Heupel in 2019. He also coached in various roles from 2008-16 at Baylor, where father-in-law Art Briles was head coach.

“Being the head coach at Mississippi State is the opportunity of a lifetime,” Lebby said. “My family and I are fired up to engrain ourselves in this community, build relationships with our players, and hit the recruiting trail. This is a special place with special people and a football program with a storied tradition. I couldn’t be more thrilled to add our dynamic offensive scheme to (a program) with a nationally regarded history of elite defensive play.

“I am truly honored and appreciative of Athletics Director Zac Selmon and President Dr. Mark Keenum for this special opportunity. I can’t wait to lead Mississippi State football into the future, while competing in college football’s premier conference. Hail State!”

Lebby’s hiring at Mississippi State leaves Power 5 openings at Texas A&M, Syracuse, Oregon State, Indiana and Houston. The Aggies were expected to hire Duke’s Mike Elko later Sunday.