Coach Bump Ready To Be Back In Davis Wade
August 30, 2023 | Football, Joel Coleman
Former Bulldog receiver will be full of emotion on Saturday.
STARKVILLE – The date was November 17, 2012. Nearly 55,000 Mississippi State fans packed out Davis Wade Stadium to watch the Bulldogs battle the Arkansas Razorbacks. MSU trailed 14-10 late in the second quarter when a certain senior receiver in Maroon and White made his presence known.
Chad Bumphis lined up in the slot on a first-and-goal from the 6-yard line. The ball was snapped to quarterback Tyler Russell who then faked a handoff ahead of delivering a perfectly thrown ball over the middle to Bumphis, who'd sprinted past the defender covering him. Touchdown Bumphis. Touchdown Dawgs.
State didn't trail the rest of the day, in large part because of Bumphis. He'd score another touchdown in the fourth quarter. He finished the game with six total receptions for 82 yards and his two scores. MSU rolled to a 45-14 victory and Bumphis rolled out of Starkville.
Bumphis hasn't been to battle inside Davis Wade since. That changes on Saturday when Bumphis, now in his first year as the receivers coach at his alma mater, comes out of the tunnel for State's 3 p.m. season opener against Southeastern Louisiana.
He openly admits it'll be a special moment.
"This job is why I started coaching," Bumphis said. "I'm very excited [for Saturday]. It's been a long time. I hope I don't get too emotional, but this is what I've always wanted, so I'm excited."
Bumphis' excitement might only be trumped by the thrill the entire State family will have when everyone gets to see one of their legends roaming the sideline once more. The man now known as Coach Bump was MSU's leading receiver in three of his four seasons as a Bulldog player from 2009 through 2012. He still holds the school record for receiving touchdowns with 24 and ranks second in career receiving yards (2,270) and receptions (159).
He was selected to the Freshman All-Southeastern Conference team by league coaches in 2009 and was picked as an All-SEC receiver by the Associated Press for his senior campaign. Bumphis – a Tupelo, Mississippi, native – was a State star from the time he first stepped foot on campus right up through his final game as a Bulldog.
Now though, since Bumphis has traded in his cleats and helmet for a headset, he knows his success will revolve around the production of those under his tutelage. Headed into his Bulldog coaching debut, Bumphis is proud of how his guys have responded to his teaching and adjusted to a new offensive system under coordinator Kevin Barbay.
"They've been good," Bumphis said of his receivers. "Obviously, it's a learning curve, doing things you're not used to doing, but for the most part, they've all handled everything well and they're excited about it. It's more opportunities to show what you can do with the ball in your hands. It's running more routes, moving guys all around. Guys are playing all over – inside, outside, backfield. It's good for them. They get to show what they can do with the ball and show their versatility."
It bears mentioning that, under Bumphis, State's receivers can't just be concerned with when the ball is in their hands. In Bumphis' day as a Bulldog player, receivers also had to know how to block to get on the field. He says he's now preaching the same style he was taught.
"You talk about being a complete receiver and not being a selfish guy," Bumphis said. "Everybody wants the ball. If you want guys blocking for the quarterback so he has time to get the ball downfield, you've got to return the favor when the ball is handed off. Even when the ball is thrown and it's not to you, go find somebody. Make yourself a part of the play. Go find work."
It's only fitting for Bumphis to teach his guys how to grind the State way. It's all he's done himself the last several years to find his way back to Starkville. Since his playing days concluded following stints in the NFL and Canadian Football League, Bumphis has had coaching stops at Iowa Wesleyan, Buffalo, Austin Peay and – most notably – Utah, where he helped lead the Utes to back-to-back Pac-12 championships and two Rose Bowl appearances.
Bumphis is quick to express his gratefulness to the coaches he's had the chance to work with and learn from along the way. He's loved his journey. Yet the simple fact remains that for as great as it all was, it wasn't home.
Come Saturday though, when the cowbells are clanging in his ears once more, Bumphis will at long last be back. He'll be right where he and so many others feel he belongs.
"It's home, and I'm very, very passionate about wide receivers," Bumphis said. "You combine the two, and this is the perfect job for me."