Why Is Art Briles Showing Up at Mississippi State Practice? Jeff Lebby Finally Breaks Silence
Asked at a news conference Aug. 10 if there are boundaries for Briles — who’s not part of the program — being at practice, Lebby said there weren’t.
- Mississippi State football coach Jeff Lebby defended allowing his father-in-law, Art Briles, to attend a recent practice.
- Briles, the former Baylor coach fired amid a sexual assault scandal, is not part of the Mississippi State program.
- Lebby emphasized the importance of family presence at practices and scrimmages.
“Coach being here was with family,” Lebby said after MSU’s scrimmage. “I think that was addressed. We want family at practice. We want family at scrimmages. That, for me, is special and that’s how it’s going to continue.”When you mix family ties with the high-octane world of college football, it’s bound to stir a bit of conversation — and that’s exactly what happened when Jeff Lebby, in only his second season as Mississippi State’s head coach, welcomed his father-in-law, Art Briles, to a recent practice session. Now, Briles isn’t just any visitor; he’s the former Baylor coach who was ousted in the wake of a serious sexual assault scandal. But here’s the kicker—while Briles was physically present, the Mississippi State program has made it crystal clear he’s not officially part of the team. Lebby doesn’t shy away from the controversy though. Instead, he underscored the value he places on having family around during practices and scrimmages, calling it something “special” and promising this tradition will stick. Of course, with such a charged backdrop, the optics alone invite debate about boundaries, loyalty, and the definition of support in collegiate athletics. LEARN MOREBriles was present at the Bulldogs’ Aug. 4 practice during a 25-minute viewing window for media. He was wearing a Mississippi State hat, shorts and shoes while conversing with several staff members, including Lebby.Lebby was a coach on the Baylor staff under Briles from 2008 to 2016, with various roles such as assistant director of football operations, running backs coach and passing game/offensive recruiting coordinator.
A Mississippi State athletic department spokesperson confirmed after the practice that Briles is not part of the team and isn’t being hired.
Briles was fired by Baylor after an internal investigation of the university’s handling of an extensive number of sexual assault accusations, including those against players on the football team during Briles’ tenure. An NCAA investigation cleared him of any NCAA violations in 2021, but was critical of Briles’ actions at Baylor.
Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for The Clarion Ledger. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
“Our football program and entire athletics department prides itself on being a family environment,” the MSU spokesperson said in a statement to The Clarion Ledger after the Aug. 4 practice. “Family members are welcome at practices with the understanding that team boundaries and focus are respected.”Briles was fired by Baylor in 2016 after an investigation into multiple sexual assault accusations in the program. He is also the father-in-law of Lebby, Mississippi State‘s second-year coach.
He has not coached at the college level since being fired by Baylor, other than a four-day stint as the Grambling State offensive coordinator in 2022. He resigned, citing that he’d be a distraction to the team.
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