The state of Mississippi produces some elite athletes and football is very important to the residents. In fact, the Egg Bowl is one of the most heated rivalries in college sports.

However, the state is sometimes overlooked on a national scale, and that’s something new Mississippi State coach Mike Leach wants to change.

On Saturday, he shared how he gathered his players at the football stadium and told them to be proud of the state of Mississippi:

The Bulldogs had some good times recently under Dan Mullen, who is now with Florida, even spending some time at No. 1 in the polls.

Can Leach lead them back to that level? We’ll find out starting this fall.