Mississippi State football coach Jeff Lebby has hired Philip Montgomery as associate head coach for offense and wide receivers coach, the school announced Tuesday. Montgomery, a former Broyles Award finalist, brings more than 30 years of coaching experience, including head coaching at the University of Tulsa and offensive coordinator roles at Baylor, Houston, Virginia Tech, and Auburn.
Montgomery has a reputation for developing high-powered offenses and mentoring award-winning quarterbacks such as Robert Griffin III, Bryce Petty, and Case Keenum. During his tenure at Tulsa from 2015 to 2022, he led the Golden Hurricane to four bowl games and guided the program to its first American Athletic Conference championship game appearance in 2020.
His 2016 Tulsa team set an NCAA record by featuring a 3,000-yard passer, two 1,000-yard rushers, and two 1,000-yard receivers in the same season. That squad finished fourth nationally in total offense and seventh in scoring offense. Montgomery also helped Tulsa beat two nationally ranked opponents in 2020, with Zaven Collins earning consensus All-American honors and winning the Bednarik and Nagurski trophies.
Before Tulsa, Montgomery spent seven seasons at Baylor, where he served as offensive coordinator for four. His offenses ranked among the nation’s best, including leading the country in yards per game in 2014. Montgomery was a finalist for the Broyles Award in 2013 and coached three consecutive All-Americans, including Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III.
His coaching career began at the high school level in Texas before he played at Tarleton State University, where he lettered four years. Montgomery expressed enthusiasm about joining Mississippi State, stating he respects Lebby’s approach and the system’s development of players. Lebby praised Montgomery as one of the most respected offensive minds in college football.
Montgomery’s recent coaching roles include interim head coach and offensive coordinator at Virginia Tech in 2025, as well as a stint with the Birmingham Stallions of the USFL in 2024. He is married to Ashli, and they have two children, Cannon and Maci.
