Jeff Lebby Hires Philip Montgomery To Lead Mississippi State Wide Receivers

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State head football coach Jeff Lebby announced Tuesday the hiring of former Broyles Award finalist Philip Montgomery as Associate Head Coach for Offense and Wide Receivers Coach.

Considered one of the brightest offensive minds in college football, his impressive resume spans over three decades in the collegiate ranks, including head coaching experience at the University of Tulsa (2015-2022) and offensive coordinator stints at Virginia Tech, Auburn, Baylor and Houston. He also served as the co-offensive coordinator for the Birmingham Stallions, helping lead the team to the 2024 UFL Championship.

He has consistently developed high-powered offenses and mentored several award-winning quarterbacks, including Big 12 Player of the Year Bryce Petty, Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III, Baylor All-American Nick Florence, Conference USA MVP Kevin Kolb and Houston standout Case Keenum.

During his eight-year tenure as head coach at Tulsa, Montgomery led the Golden Hurricane to four bowl games and guided the program to its first-ever appearance in the American Athletic Conference championship game in 2020. His offense set an NCAA record in 2016, becoming the first team in FBS history to feature a 3,000-yard passer, two 1,000-yard rushers and two 1,000-yard receivers in the same season. The 2016 Tulsa squad finished the season fourth nationally in total offense (527.0), seventh in scoring offense (42.5), eighth in rushing offense (261.7) and 30th in the country in passing (265.3).

His 2020 Tulsa team, which advanced to the AAC Championship Game, defeated two nationally ranked opponents for the first time in school history, and the play of Zaven Collins propelled him to being honored as a consensus All-American and the national defensive player of the year, winning both the Chuck Bednarik and Bronko Nagurski Trophies.

Prior to his time at Tulsa, Montgomery spent seven seasons at Baylor, where he served as offensive coordinator for four. For four straight seasons with the Bears, Montgomery called plays for an offense ranked among the nation's best. In 12 games in 2014, Baylor's 581.3 yards per game and 48.8 points led the nation. The Bears also led the nation in total offense in 2013 (618.8 ypg) and ranked second in both 2012 (572.2) and 2011 (587.1). Baylor posted 10 or more wins in three of his last four seasons, including 11 victories in each of his last two years there. In 2014, Baylor produced an 11-1 record and ranked as high as No. 4 in the Associated Press poll. Baylor's passing attack ranked among the top five in the country each of those years. Montgomery was a 2013 finalist for the Broyles Award, given annually to the nation's top college football assistant coach.

For three straight seasons, each with a different quarterback, Montgomery's pupils earned All-America honors. In 2013, Bryce Petty threw for 4,200 yards and 32 touchdowns, finishing seventh in the Heisman Trophy voting and earning unanimous Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year honors. Under Montgomery's guidance, Nick Florence threw for a school-record 4,309 yards in 2012 and was named an honorable mention All-American by Sports Illustrated.

As backfield coach in 2011, Montgomery coached two All-Americans—Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III and future NFL draftee Terrance Ganaway, who set Baylor single-season records for rushing yards (1,566) and rushing TDs (21).

Montgomery arrived at Baylor following five seasons coaching the offensive backfield at Houston, serving as co-offensive coordinator in 2006 and 2007. During his tenure in Houston, the Cougar offense ranked among the nation's most prolific. In the 2007 regular season, Houston ranked fourth nationally in total offense (513.1), 10th in rushing offense (239.9), 17th in scoring offense (36.3) and 27th in passing offense (273.2).

Prior to joining the Cougars' coaching staff, Montgomery served one year as the offensive coordinator at Denton (Texas) High School, helping that team compile a 10-2 record and the 2002 bi-district crown. Before that, Montgomery was the quarterback and backfield coach at Stephenville (Texas) High School for six seasons. He was an integral part of a program that won back-to-back Class 4A Division II state championships in 1998 and 1999.

A four-year letterman at Tarleton State, Montgomery began his coaching career as a student assistant at his alma mater, where he worked with the running backs and served as the summer weight room coordinator for two seasons.

Montgomery received his bachelor's degree in exercise and sports studies from Tarleton State in 1995. He and his wife, Ashli, have two children: Cannon and Maci.

Lebby on Montgomery
"Philip Montgomery is one of the most respected and innovative offensive coaches in our game, and we are excited to welcome him and his family to Mississippi State. For more than 30 years, he has been a head coach, offensive coordinator, play-caller and position coach at multiple levels of football, and he has consistently produced elite offenses and explosive playmakers. He understands this system at a high level and knows exactly how we want to dictate tempo and attack defenses. Philip knows how to create advantages, develop talent in the receiver room and put players in position to succeed. He is a tremendous addition to our program."

Montgomery on Coming to Mississippi State
"I'm excited to join Coach Lebby and the staff at Mississippi State. I have a tremendous amount of respect for the way he approaches the game and the identity this offense plays with. I've coached in this system for a long time and believe strongly in how it develops players and stresses defenses. I'm looking forward to building relationships in the receiver room and helping our guys play fast, physical and aggressive every Saturday."

Montgomery Coaching History
2025 – Virginia Tech, Interim HC
2025 – Virginia Tech, Offensive Coordinator
2024 – Birmingham Stallions, Co-Offensive Coordinator
2023 – Auburn, Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
2015–22 – Tulsa, Head Coach
2012–14 – Baylor, Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
2008–11 – Baylor, Co-Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks/Running Backs
2007 – Houston, Co-Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks/Running Backs
2003–06 – Houston, Quarterbacks/Running Backs
2002 – Denton HS (TX), Offensive Coordinator
1997–2001 – Stephenville HS (TX), Quarterbacks/Running Backs
1996 – Stephenville JR HS (TX), Quarterbacks/Running Backs
1995 – Celeste HS (TX), Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks/Running Backs
1994 – Tarleton State (Student Assistant)

The Montgomery File
Experience: 33 seasons, first at Mississippi State
Hometown: Eastland, Texas
High School: Eastland
College: Tarleton State (1995)
Playing Exp.: Tarleton State (1991-94)
Family: Wife – Ashli; Son – Cannon; Daughter – Maci

Bowl Games/Playoff Games Coaches
2024 – UFL Conference Finals & League Championship
2023 – Music City Bowl (Auburn)
2021 – Myrtle Beach Bowl (Tulsa)
2020 – Armed Forces Bowl (Tulsa)
2016 – Miami Beach Bowl (Tulsa)
2015 – Independence Bowl (Tulsa)
2014 – Cotton Bowl (Baylor)
2013 – Fiesta Bowl (Baylor)
2012 – Holiday Bowl (Baylor)
2011 – Alamo Bowl (Baylor)
2010 – Texas Bowl (Baylor)
2007 – Texas Bowl (Houston)
2006 – Liberty Bowl (Houston)
2005 – Fort Worth Bowl (Houston)
2003 – Hawaii Bowl (Houston)

Notable NFL Players Coached
Case Keenum
Robert Griffin III
Bryce Petty

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Mississippi State University Athletics

Jeff Lebby Hires Philip Montgomery To Lead Mississippi State Wide Receivers

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