Vanderbilt’s Lea, Mississippi State’s Lebby Map Rebuilds at SEC Media Days

Speaking at Southeastern Conference Media Days in Atlanta, Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea said his programme still has “so much important work ahead” to reach sustainable success. He described a mental rebuild that began when he inherited a team that had “been damaged mentally,” citing last season’s seven-win campaign, including an upset of then-No. 1 Alabama, as evidence the culture shift is taking hold. Lea added that his friendship with Texas A&M coach Mike Elko continues to shape his approach, calling Elko’s expected progress in College Station “challenging to take on.” Mississippi State’s first-year head coach Jeff Lebby used the same podium to detail an aggressive roster overhaul completed since December. Lebby said the Bulldogs created “momentum” by signing both a “really good” high-school class and a sizable transfer class, adding that East Texas recruiting ties will be “critical.” He praised former Baylor signal-caller Blake Shapen, saying he “could not be more excited” about the quarterback leading the offense, and noted that the locker room is “a lot closer and a lot more connected” despite heavy turnover. Both coaches acknowledged the SEC’s heightened competition, with Lea calling it a “gauntlet” and Lebby echoing the sentiment. Their comments set the tone for programs intent on climbing the league standings when preseason camps open in two weeks.