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Mississippi State officially announces Zach Arnett's return as Defensive Coordinator

3rupauk8_400x400by: Robbie Faulk12/07/25RobbieFaulkOn3

A familiar face is officially back coaching in maroon and white.

Mississippi State officially announced what was reported on Saturday morning, that Zach Arnett is returning to Starkville to lead the Bulldog defense for Jeff Lebby. Arnett was the architect of a stout Bulldog unit from 2020-2022 and then was named head coach of the team in 2023.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to return to Mississippi State and lead this defense,” Arnett said in a school release. “This place means a great deal to me and my family, and Starkville has always felt like home. I’m excited to get to work for Coach Lebby, support his vision and do my part in contributing to the program.”

Arnett comes back to State to try and breathe life into a defensive unit that has lost its fire since he and his staff left in ’23. The Bulldogs were among the worst defenses in the Power 4 for the last two seasons under Coleman Hutzler and the coordinator was relieved of his duties shortly after the season, a decision that was reported on Saturday as well.

Arnett brings intensity and attacking style back to State

While Arnett’s tenure in Starkville ended poorly as the head coach following Mike Leach’s sudden passing during bowl prep of 2022, his work as a coordinator was unquestioned. Arnett’s defenses had intensity and physicality that Bulldog fans craved out of their defenses.

Arnett, a disciple of Joe Lee Dunn’s 3-3-5 defense, learned under the tutelage of the great Rocky Long. After playing his college football as a linebacker at New Mexico, Arnett jumped into coaching at San Diego State as a Graduate assistant in 2011 and his career was off and running.

In 2014, Arnett earned a spot as an assistant coaching LBs for SDSU and worked his way into the team’s Defensive Coordinator spot in 2018. Arnett was set to become Syracuse’s new coordinator in 2020 when Mike Leach called and wanted him to join him at State.

For three seasons as the DC, Arnett had a top 5 total defense inside the SEC all three years. They were third in the conference in explosive plays, fourth in turnovers and fifth in points per possession. He helped develop NFL linebacker Bookie Watson into one of the top tacklers in the country and an All-American pick and added two more All-Americans in Emmanuel Forbes and Martin Emerson.

Forbes, Watson, Emerson, Jaden Crumedy, Cameron Young and Decamerion Richardson were all drafted and played multiple years in Arnett’s scheme. His production in a three-year span is what Lebby is looking for to try and get things back on track.

“Zach is one of the top defensive minds in college football, and we are excited to welcome him back to Mississippi State,” Lebby said. “His defenses here were tough, disciplined and among the most productive in the SEC. He brings energy, edge and a defined identity to our defense, and I’m confident he will help elevate our program immediately.”

After Arnett started the 2023 seasons 5-6, Director of Athletics Zac Selmon fired him. Arnett spent a year as an Analyst at Ole Miss under DC Pete Goldin and was set to become the new coordinator for Dan Mullen at UNLV before leaving prior to the season. He spent this past year as an Analyst for Florida State.

Clarity is expected on the rest of the staff in the coming weeks, but sources indicated to Maroon and White Daily that Arnett’s former linebackers coach and 2024 DC Matt Brock could also join him after the UConn DC finishes his season. Other staff changes are expected.

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