Particle.news
Download on the App Store
11 ARTICLES
·
12h ago

Mississippi State Officially Rehires Zach Arnett as Defensive Coordinator on Three-Year Deal

The move seeks to restore the Bulldogs’ defensive identity after two seasons of poor results under Coleman Hutzler.

Jeff Lebby of the Mississippi State Bulldogs and Kirby Smart of the Georgia Bulldogs before the game at Davis Wade Stadium on November 08, 2025 in Starkville, Mississippi.
Oct 7, 2023; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Zach Arnett looks on during the first quarter of the game against the Western Michigan Broncos at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Image
Image

Overview

  • The school announced Arnett’s return on Dec. 7, a day after informing defensive coordinator Coleman Hutzler he would not return following a 5–7 season.
  • ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported Arnett agreed to a three-year contract as Jeff Lebby overhauls his defensive staff.
  • Under Hutzler, Mississippi State ranked 118th in scoring defense in 2024 and 95th in 2025, placing near the bottom of the SEC in key metrics.
  • Arnett previously led MSU’s defense from 2020–22 and was elevated to head coach in 2023 following Mike Leach’s death before being dismissed later that season.
  • Since leaving Starkville, Arnett served as an analyst at Ole Miss and Florida State and briefly accepted the UNLV defensive coordinator job before resigning for personal reasons.