Getting To Know Chad Bumphis
December 30, 2023 | Football
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 wide receivers coach Chad Bumphis.
Q: I know how much this place means to you so what does it mean for you to have coach Lebby give you the opportunity to stick around?
Bumphis: "It was big, huge. First, thank you to him. It's been great. Obviously, I've wanted this job for a long time. Last year didn't go the way that we wanted it to, so getting the chance to come back and do it right this time was big for me. I'm thankful for the opportunity. Now we're ready to get to work and try to correct those wrongs."
Q: Coach Lebby has talked about his offense being a show and I imagine your wide receivers are going to play a big part in that. How do those wide receivers work within his offense?
Bumphis: "First of all, this is a receiver's dream. There are a lot of receivers around the country that are picking schools to go to and are leaving schools. You search for this offense as a receiver. It's huge for those guys and I'm very excited.
"He does a good job of just getting guys in position to make plays, creating mismatches and finding ways to get our best guy one-on-one with their worst guy. But what I love about it is there are a lot of choice routes, options routes where you can't be wrong unless you're covered. It's really good for guys. It's going to take some time to get on the same page with the quarterback, but this is a receiver's dream."
Q: You've had a chance to be around coach Lebby now so what are your impressions of who he is?
Bumphis: "Obviously, the football speaks for itself. When you think of college offense, you think of Lebby. But just the person outside of football, we spent some time together during the recruiting process traveling to go see guys so I've been able to talk with him. What he talks about most is life after football, which is huge man. It was big for me and really important to me and just having somebody that sees it the same way.
"Not only that, he doesn't just check a box and really puts time into our D.A.W.G. program, which is setting those guys up for life and being able to go attack life when you're done with football is really important to him. I think that's huge for guys, especially parents. They want to hear that and make sure you're not only going to take care of my kid as a football player, but when he's done with football will he be setup for life? He does a great job with it and it's important to him. That's one of the amazing things that stuck out to me."
Q: This program and these players have gone through a lot in the last year or so. How important was it for you to be a stabilizing force for those guys with their familiarity with you?
Bumphis: "Yeah, it was big because I have a relationship with a lot of guys on the team. And it's not just guys in my room. It's huge and they deserve some excitement and deserve some good things to happen for them. I think we're setup for it to be that way, we've just got to work and get this thing rolling. But it can be really good for us."
Q: We've already said how much this place means to you. So why is Mississippi State the place to come if you're a college football player?
Bumphis: "I said this recently, you're going to go on all these visits and everybody is going to have nice facilities. Everybody has all of that stuff. But the people inside the building is what makes the difference. Here, we've got great people. We've got special people and a community that loves Mississippi State football, loves the guys on this team and loves the people involved in this program.
"You think about the tradition and the guys that we've had come through here, you can do some special stuff here. You can win some really big games here. You can do all of that stuff. It's a special place and we need special people because we're going to do some special things. But, you have to have the right people in positions. Again the people inside this building, not only do they care about you as a football player but as a person as well. That's important and you don't get that everywhere.
"Going back to Lebby, he'll come in my office and we'll just talk. And it's not like you're talking to a head coach that's just above everything. He's a normal guy that wants to enjoy it and have fun. Again, you never forget why you started doing it. And if you have a relationship with the head coach it starts at the top. He's done a great job and the people in here are what makes Mississippi State."
Q: We know the type of player you were here and got a shot in the NFL and also in Canada. But what got you into coaching? Was that always part of the plan?
Bumphis: "Yeah, I always wanted to be around the game in some way. My internship, I obviously did the radio show. But just being around football. My dad was never around so every father figure I had was in the form of a coach, always. I'm not trying to be anyone's dad, but I want to be able to help guys. That's important to me because I've been there. I know what it feels like to have to wake up at 6 a.m. to go workout. I get all of that. There's going to be stuff that they go through that I feel like I can help them and that's important to be able to give back.
"Again, I love this university and have always wanted to coach receivers here. So for me to get the opportunity to do that, I'm going to make the most of it."
Q: We see how much you value the off the field aspect of this job and how much you care for these guys. But on the field, what do you demand out of your guys?
Bumphis: "Tough guys that love to compete. We're going to be smart, we're going to be fast and we're going to be competitive. You hate to lose at anything and don't get comfortable or settle for less than. We're going to be smart and play the game the right way. I honestly, honestly believe that if you play this game the right way it'll always return the favor.
"Not many are going to play in the NFL for 10 years. You might, but whatever is next you're going to be prepared and treat this game the right way. You've got to do it the right way and it'll take care of you in the long run. Respecting the game, playing it the right way and going out and competing every single day on the practice field. I'm a firm believer that there's no such thing in staying the same. You're either getting better or you're getting worse. The whole objective is to get better every single day.
"It all starts with competition in the room, competition on the other side of the ball and going out everyday and finding something to get better at. Perfect your craft. Love what you're doing. This game doesn't owe you anything, but if you do it the right way then it'll give you everything you want. Do it the right way and love the game and it'll love you back."