Zach Arnett will replace Mike Leach at Mississippi State

The college football world was stunned this week following the tragic passing of coaching icon Mike Leach. The Pirate will be missed by all in college football. But left behind in Starkville is an SEC football program that needs a new leader.

The decision-makers at Mississippi State have appeared to come to a final decision. ESPN’s Pete Thamel is reporting that defensive coordinator Zach Arnett has been promoted to head football coach.

Sources: Mississippi State and defensive coordinator Zach Arnett have agreed to terms to make him the school’s next head football coach. He’s expected to receive a four-year contract, which has not been signed yet.

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) December 14, 2022

“The move was made quickly to stabilize the program and support the players after the sudden death of coach Mike Leach”, Thamel wrote on Twitter. “Arnett has been a successful defensive coordinator and stayed loyal to MSU despite multiple offers from higher-profile programs the last few years.”

The New Mexico alum started his coaching career at San Diego State working for his former coach Rocky Long learning the 3-3-5 defense. After three years as a graduate assistant from 2011-13, Arnett was made a full-time assistant for the Aztecs in 2014 and was promoted to defensive coordinator in 2018. After calling plays for two seasons in the Mountain West, Arnett was hired by Leach to run the defense in Starkville in 2020.

Arnett had his best defense in 2022 as the Bulldogs produced a top-25 finish. Now the 36-year-old will get a chance to run his own program. The defensive coordinator’s first game as a head coach will occur on Jan. 2 in Tampa when Mississippi State faces Illinois in the ReliaQuest Bowl.

The Bulldogs will now be on their fourth head coach in seven seasons next year as Arnett will look to fill some big shoes at Mississippi State. Mike Leach will be missed, but Zach Arnett is a worthy candidate to take over at Davis-Wade Stadium.