Mike Leach pleased with effort, KJ Costello in Mississippi State’s first practice

It took until August, but Mississippi State is finally holding practice under Mike Leach. The first-year head coach said he was pleased with the team’s effort.

“We had good effort and I would categorize it as average but we have work to do. We’ve just got to keep working at it,” Leach told reporters in a post-practice press conference. He noted that the Bulldogs are further along athletically than they are when it comes to understanding the new systems.

Fans probably shouldn’t expect the MSU offense to look like Washington State in Year 1 of Leach’s tenure.

“We’ll have to simplify some things and be as disciplined as we can,” Leach said. “When I was at Washington State, that was something that was built over a series of years. I think that we need to constantly be aware of that because the best plays are the one that we can execute.”

Stanford graduate transfer KJ Costello is considered the frontrunner to land the starting quarterback job. Leach acknowledged Costello’s experience gives him a leg up.

“He’s a work in progress but I would say that about all (the quarterbacks). KJ’s experience helps him some,” Leach said. “KJ is in tune with this guy going here and this guy going there. We’re trying to take the opportunity to see who can do what and get them slotted at the best position that we can. He does a good job of taking charge of the huddle and knowing the offense on the run. I’ve been pleased with him but we’ve got a ways to go.”

SDS Staff

Saturday Down South reports and comments on the news around the Southeastern Conference as well as larger college football topics.