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Mississippi State Football: Jeff Lebby’s First Season Mirrors Legendary Coaches

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Mississippi State Football: Jeff Lebby’s First Season Mirrors Legendary Coaches


Mississippi State took a risk in hiring a head coach who had never been a head coach at any level before.

It may have been brilliant idea to hire Jeff Lebby. Or it may have been a mistake. Nobody reading these words knows for certain and we won’t truly know after just one season, let alone five games.

Time will answer that question. Even if the Bulldogs don’t win another game this season, Lebby can find peace looking at the first-year record for some of the sport’s greatest coaches and see similar records as his.

Here’s a look at some of those coaches and how they finished in their first season with their school:

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 Wisconsin Badgers head coach Barry Alvarez reacts as gatorade gets dumped on him after they beat the Auburn Tigers.

Wisconsin Badgers head coach Barry Alvarez reacts as gatorade gets dumped on him after they beat the Auburn Tigers in the 2015 Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Wisconsin Badgers defeated the Auburn Tigers 34-31 in overtime. / Kim Klement-Imagn Images

Record in first season: 1-10 (1990)
Career record at Wisconsin: 192-72-4 (16 seasons)

Alvarez is a great comparison for Lebby. Both coaches inherited programs that were in terrible shape and had to rebuild not just a program, but a culture. If Lebby has a similar career in Starkville as Alvarez did at Wisconsin, Bulldog fans won’t care about the 2024 season.

Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Paul Bear Bryant on the sideline during the game against the Auburn Tigers at Legion Field.

Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Paul Bear Bryant on the sideline during the game against the Auburn Tigers at Legion Field. / Manny Rubio-Imagn Images

Record in first season: 1-9 (1954)
Career record at Texas A&M: 25-14-2

This should be have an asterisk considering this is the season following the infamous trip to Junction, Texas. Still, though, a 1-9 record wasn’t what any expected in the Bear’s first season leading the Aggies. It should also be noted his first season at Alabama ended with a 5-4-1 record.

Legendary Florida State University football coach Bobby Bowden looks up at the replay screen during his final game.

Legendary Florida State University football coach Bobby Bowden looks up at the replay screen during his final game against West Virginia at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium for the Gator Bowl Friday January 1, 2010. / Kelly Jordan/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK

Record in first season: 5-6 (1976)
Career record at Florida State: 304-97-4 (34 seasons)

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Bowden’s first season was his only losing season more than 30 years as Florida State’s head coach. The Seminoles were just 4-29 in the three seasons before Bowden’s arrival.

Penn State Nittany Lions head coach Joe Paterno answers questions from the media after the game against Illinois.

Penn State Nittany Lions head coach Joe Paterno answers questions from the media after the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Illinois 10-7. / Rob Christy-Imagn Images

Record in first season: 5-5 (1966)
Career record at Penn State: 409-136-3 (46 seasons)

The winningest college football of all-time got off to a rocky start in his first season. But considering how the next 45 seasons went, not many people remember the 5-5 record.

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Mississippi State Football: What Georgia’s Win Over Auburn Means for Next Week’s Showdown



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14-year-old girl arrested for shooting 8-year-old in Mississippi

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14-year-old girl arrested for shooting 8-year-old in Mississippi


WARREN COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV) – Deputies in Warren County, Mississippi, arrested a 14-year-old girl for allegedly shooting an 8-year-old.

Warren County Sheriff Martin Pace said the shooting happened on Abraham Drive just before 4:00 p.m. on April 13, 2026.

According to the sheriff, the female victim was transported to a Jackson hospital for treatment. He said deputies recovered a handgun at the scene.

There’s no motive for the shooting, and the investigation is ongoing.

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A potential opportunity to lower car tag costs across Mississippi

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A potential opportunity to lower car tag costs across Mississippi


A follow-up on high car tag costs in Mississippi shows major differences in what drivers pay depending on where they live, even across the street, according to new data from the Mississippi State Auditor’s Office.The data highlights large price gaps across the metro area, with some residents paying hundreds of dollars more based solely on location and county lines.The State Auditor’s Office data shows that at Ridgeland Ranch Apartments, a car tag costs $571.64. At Trails at Northpointe Apartments directly across the street, the same tag rises to $1,490.48.The highest cost in the region is $1,676.30 at Yazoo Estates, while the lowest is $343.30 in the Oakfield neighborhood.Resident Keith Bush said he has experienced the difference firsthand.“When I lived in Hinds County, my car tag started at $1,500,” Bush said. Now living at Ridgeland Ranch Apartments, Bush said his cost is significantly lower.Bush said, “I don’t want to tell you the exact price, but it is under $200.”State Rep. Ronnie Crudup Jr. of District 71 says the high costs in Hinds County are an ongoing issue tied to local financial obligations, including school infrastructure.Crudup said, “We all know that we got the highest tags. I think even in Hans County, and uh, you know, a lot of that is due to, I guess, our, our, our population in, in our school building.”He added that part of the cost comes from maintaining unused school buildings in the Jackson Public Schools system.Crudup said, “You know, some of the schools are closed. The schools are still on their books right now, because they’re still responsible for the buildings and the maintenance and all that type of thing. I think as they come off their books. I think there’s a chance then that we’ll be able to reduce the price of the car tags.”Bush said, “That would be great. I think a lot of people will have some ideas of where they want to move.”Lawmakers are considering House Bill 1395, which has already passed both chambers. The bill would speed up the sale of unused school buildings, which supporters say could reduce costs, limit delays, and open the door for redevelopment.In a statement, Jackson Public Schools said, “Jackson Public Schools is committed to the strategic repurposing of surplus properties to strengthen communities and improve the district’s financial position, guided by thoughtful planning, stakeholder engagement, and a focus on long-term impact for our scholars and families.We are also grateful to the Mississippi Legislature, and especially the Hinds County Delegation, for their advocacy and support of this legislative change, which provides school districts with greater flexibility to better serve our scholars and community.”Officials said if the bill is signed into law, it could help reduce long-term costs. For now, the data shows that where you live still plays a major role in how much you pay for a car tag.

A follow-up on high car tag costs in Mississippi shows major differences in what drivers pay depending on where they live, even across the street, according to new data from the Mississippi State Auditor’s Office.

The data highlights large price gaps across the metro area, with some residents paying hundreds of dollars more based solely on location and county lines.

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The State Auditor’s Office data shows that at Ridgeland Ranch Apartments, a car tag costs $571.64. At Trails at Northpointe Apartments directly across the street, the same tag rises to $1,490.48.

The highest cost in the region is $1,676.30 at Yazoo Estates, while the lowest is $343.30 in the Oakfield neighborhood.

Resident Keith Bush said he has experienced the difference firsthand.

“When I lived in Hinds County, my car tag started at $1,500,” Bush said.

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Now living at Ridgeland Ranch Apartments, Bush said his cost is significantly lower.

Bush said, “I don’t want to tell you the exact price, but it is under $200.”

State Rep. Ronnie Crudup Jr. of District 71 says the high costs in Hinds County are an ongoing issue tied to local financial obligations, including school infrastructure.

Crudup said, “We all know that we got the highest tags. I think even in Hans County, and uh, you know, a lot of that is due to, I guess, our, our, our population in, in our school building.”

He added that part of the cost comes from maintaining unused school buildings in the Jackson Public Schools system.

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Crudup said, “You know, some of the schools are closed. The schools are still on their books right now, because they’re still responsible for the buildings and the maintenance and all that type of thing. I think as they come off their books. I think there’s a chance then that we’ll be able to reduce the price of the car tags.”

Bush said, “That would be great. I think a lot of people will have some ideas of where they want to move.”

Lawmakers are considering House Bill 1395, which has already passed both chambers. The bill would speed up the sale of unused school buildings, which supporters say could reduce costs, limit delays, and open the door for redevelopment.

In a statement, Jackson Public Schools said, “Jackson Public Schools is committed to the strategic repurposing of surplus properties to strengthen communities and improve the district’s financial position, guided by thoughtful planning, stakeholder engagement, and a focus on long-term impact for our scholars and families.

We are also grateful to the Mississippi Legislature, and especially the Hinds County Delegation, for their advocacy and support of this legislative change, which provides school districts with greater flexibility to better serve our scholars and community.”

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Officials said if the bill is signed into law, it could help reduce long-term costs. For now, the data shows that where you live still plays a major role in how much you pay for a car tag.



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IRS owes Mississippi residents $9.9 million. Are you missing free money?

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IRS owes Mississippi residents .9 million. Are you missing free money?


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Are you missing out on free money? The IRS estimates that 1.3 million Americans are missing out on their 2022 income tax refunds because they haven’t filed their taxes. That totals about $1.2 billion in unclaimed money.

Many taxpayers are missing out on income tax returns because they haven’t filed. Some are years late.

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The final deadline to be eligible is April 15. If people miss it, the money becomes property of the U.S. Treasury.

How many people in Mississippi could get a check?

According to the IRS, Mississippi taxpayers are owed about $9.9 million.

Approximately 11,800 people who haven’t filed their 2022 taxes could get a refund. The median amount is $635, so half of refunds could be more than that.

What if I didn’t file my 2022 taxes? When is the deadline?

You have until April 15, 2026, to file back-year returns.

The IRS said you might still be eligible for the check, but only people who have filed their taxes will get one.

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If you owe money or haven’t filed for 2023 or 2024 tax years, your check could be held. The money could also be garnished for unpaid child support or federal student loans.

People also have to file their 2025 taxes to get any refunds that might be owed.

Bonnie Bolden is the Deep South Connect reporter for Mississippi with USA TODAY NETWORK. Email her at bbolden@gannett.com.



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