Mississippi State is turning to a familiar SEC face-and a Texas A&M legend-to bolster its defensive front. The Bulldogs have hired Ty Warren, a two-time Super Bowl champion and Texas A&M Hall of Famer, as their new defensive line coach. It’s a move that brings both pedigree and promise to Starkville.
Warren, a Bryan-College Station native, brings a unique blend of elite playing experience and a rising coaching résumé. He’s not just another former player trying his hand at coaching-he’s already shown he can teach, develop, and elevate a unit, and now he gets his shot in the SEC trenches.
His coaching journey started in the NFL with the Detroit Lions, where he worked as an assistant from 2019 to 2020. From there, he got his hands dirty in spring football, leading defensive lines for the Houston Gamblers in 2022 and the Orlando Guardians in 2023. Those roles may not have grabbed national headlines, but they were foundational-Warren was sharpening his coaching voice, learning how to connect with players, and building a reputation for toughness and technical precision.
But it was at Stephen F. Austin where Warren really made noise.
Over two seasons, he helped engineer a dramatic turnaround on defense. The Lumberjacks went from 98th to sixth nationally in scoring defense-a leap that doesn’t happen without serious coaching chops.
He also helped reel in back-to-back top-10 FCS recruiting classes, showing he’s as effective in living rooms as he is in the film room.
Now, he steps into a Mississippi State program that’s hungry to re-establish its defensive identity. And he’ll have talent to work with-arguably the most gifted defensive line group he’s coached so far.
Warren’s calling card is player development rooted in discipline, detail, and relationships. That approach should click quickly in Starkville, especially under head coach Jeff Lebby, who’s building a culture centered on effort and accountability.
Warren echoed that sentiment in the school’s official announcement, saying:
“I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to join Mississippi State and be part of what Coach Lebby is building. This is a place with great tradition, passionate fans and a standard of toughness and effort that fits who I am as a coach. I’m excited to get to work developing our players, building relationships and helping this program compete at the highest level.”
For Mississippi State, this hire isn’t just about name recognition-it’s about trajectory. Warren is an ascending coach with a proven ability to elevate a unit. And now, with SEC-caliber athletes at his disposal, he’ll have the chance to show just how far his coaching star can rise.