'Tremendous Addition': Mississippi State Hires New Director of Football Sports Science

Since becoming the new head coach of the Mississippi State football team on Nov. 26, Jeff Lebby has added several coaches and staff members to his empire. This didn't even stop on Wednesday's National Signing Day as Lebby hired Mason Walters as the program's new director of football sports science.

"Adding this position continues to strengthen our commitment to student-athlete success at Mississippi State," Lebby said. "Mason will be a tremendous addition to our staff. His track record and experience speak for itself, and we are excited for the impact he will have on our program."

Walters' track record certainly does speak for itself as he worked with 29 combat and acrobat Team USA's Olympic and Paralympic teams starting in 2018 for the Tokyo Olympics. His experience goes back even further, as he worked with US Army Special Operations in 2019-20 and was a strength and conditioning graduate assistant for the University of New Mexico men's basketball team in 2018-19. Additionally, he was the head assistant strength and conditioning coach for the United States Air Force Academy Football team from 2014-17.

Now in Starkville, Miss., Walters will oversee all football sports science operations. He'll be evaluating and monitoring player performance by gathering data to optimize athlete training, performance and return to sport through state-of-the-art technology. Walters will work closely with the strength and conditioning, sports medicine, sports nutrition and sports psychology staff.

"The opportunity to join the Mississippi State family and serve our student-athletes is an incredible honor," Walters said. "I couldn't be more excited for the future of Mississippi State football and to be a part of this outstanding staff that has been assembled here in Starkville."