STARKVILLE — Mississippi State head coach Jeff Lebby continued his coaching staff shakeup with the addition of Kevie Thompson as a defensive backs/nickels coach. Touted as a talented recruiter as well as defensive mind, he is the second defensive hire since the end of the regular season following the return of Zach Arnett as defensive coordinator.

“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,” Lebby said. “His credibility, coaching experience and relationships across this state make him a perfect fit for our program.”

Thompson joins the Bulldogs from Oklahoma State, where he was a defensive backs coach working with safeties and nickel corners. He has 15 years of coaching experience as a defensive coordinator, special teams and position coach at the high school, junior college, FCS and FBS level.

“Coming home to Mississippi and joining this staff is an incredible honor,” Thompson said. “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.”

Before joining the Cowboys in Stillwater, Thompson was the assistant head coach and defensive coordinator at East Mississippi Community College under Lions head coach Buddy Stephens from 2022 to 2024, and held the same position at West Alabama in 2021. He was also a coaching intern in the 2021 offseason with the Los Angeles Rams in the National Football League.

In Thompson’s time at EMCC, the Lions won two MACCC championships and reached the 2023 national championship game. He also has local ties from his work as the defensive coordinator at Starkville High School from 2017 to 2018. He joined the Jackets after stints as a coach at Taylorsville, Madison Central, and Raleigh.

Thompson played at Jones Junior College and Southern Miss as a defensive back.  He has a bachelor’s degree in education from USM as well as a master’s in education and a specialist’s degree in educational leadership, both from William Carey University.