Getting To Know Corey Bell
December 23, 2023 | Football, Joel Coleman
New Mississippi State head coach Jeff Lebby has collectively hired one of the top coaching staffs in all of college football.
In an effort to get to know Lebby's assistant coaches a little better, they each sat down with HailState.com staff writers Joel Coleman and Logan Lowery for a series of interviews that will be released over the coming days.
The interview series continues with cornerbacks coach Corey Bell.
Q: You have experience being around head coach Jeff Lebby before this stop here in Starkville. So, from your point of view, tell us about your relationship with Coach Lebby and what made this the right move for you to come to State.
Bell: "Coach Lebby, as an individual, is dynamic. We have a great relationship and have had a great time coaching together. We always talked about the possibility of getting back together at some point in time once he exited the doors at our last stop together."
Q: You were deeply rooted in the state of Florida over your career. It had to take someone and someplace special to pull you out of that footprint. So why was that here and now?
Bell: "You said it best. It takes someone special. [Coach Lebby] and I have a great connection. We always stayed in touch. So, when he made the call, to me it was a no-brainer because of the relationship we've built over the years.
"Both he and I are on the same page in terms of what we're trying to get done from a recruiting standpoint. Schematically. So, it was a no-brainer for me. The opportunity came and I jumped at it."
Q: Tell us about your coaching style and what you demand out of your corners.
Bell: "Very aggressive. You talk about being a technician. I want guys understanding the game from a mental standpoint. I think if they understand the game from a mental standpoint, it helps them play faster. So, they have to do a great job of recognizing things.
"The most important thing is them coming in with big ears – being able to listen and vice versa. Give them the opportunity to share their points of view and I'll get a chance to listen to them and take whatever deficiencies they may have and strengthen those things.
"All those things are important in terms of building outside guys and understanding that if we can play on the outside, we can do anything we want from a schematic standpoint."
Q: There have been many great corners to come through Mississippi State, including first-round NFL Draft picks. How are you using that with recruits and how does that help get the players you're looking for?
Bell: "Absolutely. You sell all that, but at the same time, it sells itself. When you have a product like that, you just lay it all on the table and give these guys an opportunity to bask in the previous glory and bring those guys along and give them the opportunity to set a stage for themselves."
Q: What's the story of your coaching journey? Was it something you always wanted to do and what made you the coach that you are?
Bell: "It's interesting. To be honest with you, I never had aspirations of becoming a coach. But ended up getting into it at my high school and one thing led to another. The principal ended up making me the head coach after one year of being an assistant. Now here we are today."
Q: Looking at what you're inheriting at your position group, what's your impressions of what's coming back?
Bell: "Actually, I was just sitting in my office looking at some guys before I looked up and was almost late to this. I was looking at some guys and what they bring to the table. Was taking notes. So I'll get a chance to connect with those guys and try to get on the same page and do the things we need to do to elevate their games, which is very important."
Q: What excites you right now? A lot going on with a new staff. New guys. New players. Building a team. What's driving you right now?
Bell: "All those things you just mentioned. Coming in with a new staff – guys I'm familiar with, that I've been around with and have great relationships with. Trying to help Coach Lebby build a program.
"Anyone can build a team, but when you talk about building a program, that's a whole new level in terms of building a program. We have to make sure the recruiting part of it is accurate and those things. It's an exciting time for us and I couldn't ask to be with a better guy."
Q: You've worked and coached in the SEC before. What sets this league apart?
Bell: "Simply, it means more. It means more in the SEC. Each and every week, you have to be at your best. And you want to be at your best. From a coaching standpoint, from a players' standpoint, you want to be at your best.
"So, it keeps you on your toes. It keeps you going. The competitiveness each and every week is what it's all about."
Q: As a guy that coaches on the defensive side, when you see Coach Lebby's offense, what makes it so dangerous?
Bell: "The speed of it. If you don't have your cleats in the ground at a certain point in time, it can become dangerous for you from a defensive standpoint. All those things when you talk about going against an offense like that and going against Lebby.
"Another thing I can tell you is when I was with him before, I could hear him on the headsets making the calls. It was phenomenal to hear him when he'd make that call and he'd just say, 'There it is. It's open.' Then, boom. We'd hit it and you're in the scoring zone in two or three plays. That was always exciting.
"From a defensive standpoint, for me personally, I never really watched the offense. But to hear it, it'd be two or three plays and you're already in the red zone. It's exciting."