Chris Jans didn’t need a soft opening on Tuesday. The first question at Mississippi State’s preseason press conference went straight to the heart of last season: what did he take from a disappointing year?
That’s the backdrop as the Bulldogs get ready to move forward from a 13-19 finish and five SEC wins, a season that ended with losing records on both offense and defense in SEC play. It was also the first losing year of Jans’ head coaching career, and he made clear he has spent plenty of time thinking about it.
“Yeah, what a question, right,” Jans said after he let out a small sigh while the question was being asked. “Fair enough.”
For Jans, the lesson wasn’t some single fix or magic adjustment. He described last season as a humbling experience, one he says he hadn’t really gone through as a head coach before.
“It definitely was a humbling experience… I hadn’t been through it as a head coach,” Jans said. “It wasn’t what anyone wanted or expected.
It starts with me. I think for the most part, as we sit here July 14th, you don’t really have a choice … It was a heck of an experience and not a good one.
But at this point, all we can do is grow from it, learn from it, and do the things necessary to ensure that it never happens again.”
He said the offseason has been about turning that disappointment into something useful. Mississippi State brought in seven transfers and also added three assistants to his staff: Alex Barlow, Corey Baker and Shawn Buchanan.
Jans said he and his staff are making sure last season doesn’t get carried into the preparation for this one.
“It starts with me. I’m the biggest culprit.
I’m the one that probably brings it up more than anybody does, and so I’ve got to have some self-discipline and move on,” Jans said. “I think for the most part, as we sit here July 14th, you don’t really have a choice … At this point, all we can do is grow from it, learn from it, and do the things necessary to ensure that it never happens again.”
The roster will look different, too. Jans pointed to the return of Josh Hubbard, who missed all of last year with an injury, and the addition of three freshmen: King Grace, Cameron Paul and Tee Bartlett. He said the group is still working to build the right kind of chemistry, especially with so many new faces in the mix.
“We haven’t had a lot of adversity yet, but I just love the quality of person that we have in the maroon and white every day right now,” Jans said.
He also noted that this year’s team may not resemble last season’s group in style or feel. That’s part of why he says comparisons won’t help much.
“I think for the most part, as we sit here July 14th, you don’t really have a choice,” Jans said. “It starts with me.
I’m the biggest culprit. I’m the one that probably brings it up more than anybody does, and so I’ve got to have some self-discipline and move on.”
Even with the disappointment still fresh, Jans said he believes the program has come back with a different energy.
“We haven’t had a lot of adversity yet, but I just love the quality of person that we have in the maroon and white every day right now,” Jans said.