Mississippi State Brings Home Elite Recruiter And Mississippi Native Kevie Thompson
December 09, 2025 | Football
STARKVILLE – Mississippi State football has added one of the state's most respected defensive minds and recruiters to its staff, as head coach Jeff Lebby announced Monday the hiring of Kevie Thompson as the Bulldogs' Assistant Defensive Backs Coach/Nickels.
A Raleigh, Mississippi, native with deep ties across the state, Thompson returns home after spending the 2025 season at Oklahoma State as a defensive coach. Widely regarded for his recruiting acumen, player development track record and long-standing relationships throughout Mississippi, Thompson brings more than a decade of defensive coordinator experience at the university, junior college and high school levels.
Thompson arrived at Oklahoma State in December 2024 after an impactful three-year run as assistant head coach, defensive coordinator and secondary coach at East Mississippi Community College from 2022–24. EMCC posted a 23-10 record during his tenure, winning back-to-back MACCC championships and reaching the NJCAA national championship game in 2023. His defensive units consistently ranked among the nation's best in interceptions and sacks, while more than 30 defensive players advanced to four-year programs, including several at the Power Five level. Over 20 EMCC defenders earned all-conference honors under his guidance.
Before his EMCC success, Thompson helped lead West Alabama to the top-ranked total defense in the Gulf South Conference in 2021, finishing second in rushing defense and third in scoring defense. The Tigers produced three postseason defensive honorees that season, including AFCA first-team All-American defensive lineman Chris Terrell.
Thompson previously served as associate head coach, defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach at Hinds Community College from 2019–20, where his teams ranked among the top 20 nationally in scoring defense both seasons. He developed nine all-conference defenders at Hinds, including All-Region 23 defensive back Kyree Fields.
A fixture in Mississippi high school football early in his career, Thompson spent two seasons as defensive coordinator at Starkville High School, helping guide the Yellow Jackets to a 24-5 record, a Class 6A North State championship and a Region 2-6A title from 2017–18. His 2017 defense allowed just 11.8 points per game and produced 36 turnovers and 40 sacks. He also coached in the 2018 Bernard Blackwell All-Star Game.
Thompson began his coaching career at his alma mater, Raleigh High School, in 2010. He later held roles at Madison Central High School and Taylorsville High School, where he mentored players such as longtime NFL veteran Donte Moncrief and 2012 Mississippi interceptions leader Isaiah Pugh.
His first collegiate coaching experience came at Bethany College in Kansas from 2011–12, where he helped engineer a dramatic defensive turnaround that propelled the program to its highest win total in nearly a decade and top-15 national ranking in pass defense.
In 2021, Thompson was selected as a Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Intern with the Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams.
A former defensive back, Thompson starred at Raleigh High School before continuing his playing career at Jones College and Southern Miss. He appeared in back-to-back R+L New Orleans Bowl seasons as a Golden Eagle under head coach Larry Fedora and assistants Travaris Robinson and Tony Hughes.
Thompson earned his bachelor's degree in education from Southern Miss in 2010. He later completed a master's degree in education (2014) and a specialist's degree in educational leadership (2016) from William Carey University.
Lebby on Thompson
"Kevie has recruited this state at an elite level, he's developed players everywhere he's coached, and he brings a deep understanding of Mississippi's players, coaches and talent pipeline. His credibility, coaching experience and relationships across this state make him a perfect fit for our program."
Thompson on coming to Mississippi State
"Coming home to Mississippi and joining this staff is an incredible honor. Mississippi State is a place I've believed in for a long time, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to be part of what Coach Lebby is building. The vision, the standard and the direction of this program are something I'm proud to align with. This state shaped who I am, and I'm excited to pour into our players, help develop elite defensive backs and represent Mississippi State every single day."
Thompson Coaching History
2025 – Oklahoma State, Assistant Safeties/Nickels
2022–24 – East Mississippi CC, Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs
2021 – West Alabama, Assistant Head Coach/Co-Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs
2021 (summer) – Los Angeles Rams – Coaching Intern
2019–20 – Hinds CC, Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs
2017–18 – Starkville HS, Defensive Coordinator
2015–16 – Taylorsville HS, Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator/DBs
2013–14 – Madison Central HS, Defensive Backs
2011–12 – Bethany College (Kan.), DBs/Pass Game Coordinator
2010 – Raleigh HS, RBs/WRs/Special Teams Coordinator
A Raleigh, Mississippi, native with deep ties across the state, Thompson returns home after spending the 2025 season at Oklahoma State as a defensive coach. Widely regarded for his recruiting acumen, player development track record and long-standing relationships throughout Mississippi, Thompson brings more than a decade of defensive coordinator experience at the university, junior college and high school levels.
Thompson arrived at Oklahoma State in December 2024 after an impactful three-year run as assistant head coach, defensive coordinator and secondary coach at East Mississippi Community College from 2022–24. EMCC posted a 23-10 record during his tenure, winning back-to-back MACCC championships and reaching the NJCAA national championship game in 2023. His defensive units consistently ranked among the nation's best in interceptions and sacks, while more than 30 defensive players advanced to four-year programs, including several at the Power Five level. Over 20 EMCC defenders earned all-conference honors under his guidance.
Before his EMCC success, Thompson helped lead West Alabama to the top-ranked total defense in the Gulf South Conference in 2021, finishing second in rushing defense and third in scoring defense. The Tigers produced three postseason defensive honorees that season, including AFCA first-team All-American defensive lineman Chris Terrell.
Thompson previously served as associate head coach, defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach at Hinds Community College from 2019–20, where his teams ranked among the top 20 nationally in scoring defense both seasons. He developed nine all-conference defenders at Hinds, including All-Region 23 defensive back Kyree Fields.
A fixture in Mississippi high school football early in his career, Thompson spent two seasons as defensive coordinator at Starkville High School, helping guide the Yellow Jackets to a 24-5 record, a Class 6A North State championship and a Region 2-6A title from 2017–18. His 2017 defense allowed just 11.8 points per game and produced 36 turnovers and 40 sacks. He also coached in the 2018 Bernard Blackwell All-Star Game.
Thompson began his coaching career at his alma mater, Raleigh High School, in 2010. He later held roles at Madison Central High School and Taylorsville High School, where he mentored players such as longtime NFL veteran Donte Moncrief and 2012 Mississippi interceptions leader Isaiah Pugh.
His first collegiate coaching experience came at Bethany College in Kansas from 2011–12, where he helped engineer a dramatic defensive turnaround that propelled the program to its highest win total in nearly a decade and top-15 national ranking in pass defense.
In 2021, Thompson was selected as a Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Intern with the Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams.
A former defensive back, Thompson starred at Raleigh High School before continuing his playing career at Jones College and Southern Miss. He appeared in back-to-back R+L New Orleans Bowl seasons as a Golden Eagle under head coach Larry Fedora and assistants Travaris Robinson and Tony Hughes.
Thompson earned his bachelor's degree in education from Southern Miss in 2010. He later completed a master's degree in education (2014) and a specialist's degree in educational leadership (2016) from William Carey University.
Lebby on Thompson
"Kevie has recruited this state at an elite level, he's developed players everywhere he's coached, and he brings a deep understanding of Mississippi's players, coaches and talent pipeline. His credibility, coaching experience and relationships across this state make him a perfect fit for our program."
Thompson on coming to Mississippi State
"Coming home to Mississippi and joining this staff is an incredible honor. Mississippi State is a place I've believed in for a long time, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to be part of what Coach Lebby is building. The vision, the standard and the direction of this program are something I'm proud to align with. This state shaped who I am, and I'm excited to pour into our players, help develop elite defensive backs and represent Mississippi State every single day."
Thompson Coaching History
2025 – Oklahoma State, Assistant Safeties/Nickels
2022–24 – East Mississippi CC, Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs
2021 – West Alabama, Assistant Head Coach/Co-Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs
2021 (summer) – Los Angeles Rams – Coaching Intern
2019–20 – Hinds CC, Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs
2017–18 – Starkville HS, Defensive Coordinator
2015–16 – Taylorsville HS, Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator/DBs
2013–14 – Madison Central HS, Defensive Backs
2011–12 – Bethany College (Kan.), DBs/Pass Game Coordinator
2010 – Raleigh HS, RBs/WRs/Special Teams Coordinator
FOOTBALL | Jeff Lebby 2026 Signing Day
Wednesday, December 03
FOOTBALL | Kamario Taylor Postgame vs. Ole Miss
Friday, November 28
FOOTBALL | Nic Mitchell Postgame vs. Ole Miss
Friday, November 28
FOOTBALL | Jeff Lebby Postgame vs. Ole Miss
Friday, November 28