breaking news: the head coach of Mississippi State Football has divorced his wife with…
STARKVILLE Zach Arnett, an established leader for the Mississippi State football program during his time in Starkville, was named the 35th head football coach of the Bulldogs on Thursday morning by President Mark Keenum and Interim Director of Athletics Bracky Brett.
Arnett has been MSU’s defensive coordinator for the past three seasons. He is regarded as a rising star in the coaching world and as one of the best defensive minds in college football.
“The sudden death of Coach Mike Leach has dealt a devastating blow to our football program,” MSU President Mark E. Keenum said. As we move past this tragic incident, it is crucial that we provide stability and continuity to both our coaching staff and our team. Zach has my utmost confidence.
Because of Arnett’s leadership and his special position, we think he can carry on Coach Leach’s legacy of program advancement. He approaches the work with a lot of passion and drive.”
Arnett consented to a contract worth $3 million a year plus performance-based incentives, with a maximum term of four years permitted by Mississippi state law.
“Everyone at Mississippi State is going through a really tough moment, but our football student-athletes and staff in particular,” Brett remarked. “As we support each person in overcoming the grief they are experiencing in the wake of Coach Leach’s passing, we believed it was essential to give the team a capable leader who can guide them through these difficult times and into the future.
That boss is Arnett Zach. He has supported every member of the program steadfastly both during this trying time and his stay in Starkville. In this new position, he will continue to improve Mississippi State’s culture as a superb, youthful coach who is aware of it.
Arnett ran a signature 3-3-5 scheme while he was at Starkville, where he was known for his physicality, heavy blitzing, and aggressive play.
“It is an honor that Dr. Keenum and Bracky Brett trust me to run our program,” Arnett remarked. “For me and everyone connected to Mississippi State football, this is a very trying time.
Coach Leach left a lasting impression on MSU and the entire student body, and no one can ever football in college. We are dedicated to upholding Coach Leach’s legacy and continuing to build on the solid foundation he laid. Our team is full of strong, resilient young men.
In his three seasons as head coach, Arnett’s attacking defense philosophy has proven to be a defining characteristic of MSU teams, as the Bulldogs have finished in the top five of the SEC in takeaways, rushing defense, and total defense.
Two of the best tacklers in the SEC were on the Mississippi State defense in 2022. Mississippi State is the only team in the league with two players who have more than 100 tackles on the field: Jett Johnson tied for third place in the league with 103 tackles, and Nathaniel Watson led the SEC with 108 total tackles.
Emmanuel Forbes, a cornerback, established himself as one of the best in the country, breaking the FBS career record for pick-sixes (6) with three this season and finishing the regular season ranked second nationally with six interceptions. Forbes also earned multiple All-America honors. He leads the country in 2022 with 174 interception return yards.
Arnett’s defense in 2022 finished second in turnovers gained (22) and fifth in the SEC in pass defense (2068.8), rushing defense (143.6), and total defense (350.3).
The Bulldogs led the SEC in first downs allowed (219) and third in total defense (352.3) in 2021. They also led the league in plays off the field, allowing the second fewest total plays on the the year (807).
After starting eleven rookies in his first season in Starkville, Arnett’s defense finished fifth in total defense (389.7) in his first year there. The season before, his team had finished eleventh.
In addition, the team led the SEC in fourth-down conversion rate (42.9), led the SEC in takeaways (18), and ranked third in the SEC in rushing touchdowns allowed (11). It also ranked fifth in the SEC in yards per play allowed (5.5).
Arnett is a member of the esteemed AFCA 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute (2020) and has been nominated twice for the Broyles Award (2020 and 2021), which is presented to the best assistant coach in the country.
Arnett played for San Diego for nine seasons before coming to MSU.State is coached by former Aztecs head coach Rocky Long, one of the best defensive minds in the history of the sport. In 2011 he started his coaching career as a graduate assistant on defense. In 2014 he was promoted to linebackers coach, and in 2018 he became defensive coordinator.
During that time, the Aztecs participated in bowl games each year and won four of them.
They also had a combined record of 81-38 (.681) and three Mountain West Conference titles. Seven all-conference linebackers were under his tutelage, one of whom, Kyahva Tezino, was selected to the All-Mountain West first team in both 2018 and 2019.
Calvin Munson, an All-American and three-time selection to the Mountain West team, was mentored by Arnett throughout his career. Munson’s 301 tackles placed him sixth in SDSU history.
Arnett spent four years as a linebacker before becoming a coach.seasons at the University of New Mexico (2005–08). As a senior captain in 2008, he recorded 200 career tackles and tied for the FBS lead with six forced fumbles. As a student-athlete, Arnett led the Lobos to 25 victories and two straight trips to the bowl in 2006 and 2007.
He was named to the academic all-conference team four times, and he was named to the first team of the 2008 CoSIDA Academic All-America.
Arnett, a native of Albuquerque, New Mexico, played baseball and football as a two-sport athlete at La Cueva High School. The summer before his true freshman season began, Arnett received a football scholarship after initially signing to play baseball at New Mexico.
