Joe Moorhead discusses ‘learning curve’ in first year as Mississippi State’s coach
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Joe Moorhead’s first year at Mississippi State has been a little bumpy.
A top-15 start was mired by consecutive losses to Kentucky and Florida, though both of those teams sit in the top 11 of the first College Football Playoff rankings. His team responded by sandwiching wins against then-No. 8 Auburn and No. 20 Texas A&M around a loss at No. 3 LSU.
When asked during Wednesday’s SEC Coaches Teleconference if anything about his first year in Starkville surprised him, Moorhead spoke a bit about a natural “learning curve.” The No. 18 Bulldogs (5-3) host Louisiana Tech (6-2) at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, but the questions Moorhead fielded touched on other topics.
You can read his responses below.
On Alabama receivers coach Josh Gattis:
- Josh is a rising star in this profession. I think he will be a head coach in a short amount of time. He connects with his players, gets them to play hard. His work on the recruiting trail speaks for itself.
How has Gattis reached the players so well?
- He is a football junkie, studies NFL and college tape. … That’s something Josh prides himself on.
On his coaching deal with Mississippi State, what was the most important thing?
- I wanted the job. It was a tremendous opportunity. We just wanted to make sure it was fair. There wasn’t much back-and-forth there.
On getting established in Starkville, have there been any surprises since you arrived?
- Not surprised from a football standpoint, but there is a learning curve at any new job. As much as you think that’s going to happen right away, there are things you haven’t seen before that garner your attention.
What do you think of this weekend’s Texas A&M-Auburn game?
- Should be a great game. (Defensive coordinators Mike) Elko and (Kevin) Steele lead great defenses. It’s tough to move the ball on those guys. I think it’s going to be a barn-burner.
Marcus covers SEC football for Saturday Down South.
