Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics
Arnett Nominated For Broyles Award As Top Assistant
December 08, 2020 | Football
State’s defensive coordinator also earned AFCA 35 Under 35 recognition last year
STARKVILLE – Mississippi State's defensive coordinator Zach Arnett has been nominated for the Broyles Award, which honors college football's top assistant coach.
Arnett was one of 56 nominees chosen from approximately 1,270 coaches representing 127 Division I programs. In 2020, he has led a Bulldog defense that has outperformed preseason expectations, ranking among the top 25 nationally in rushing defense despite using nine first-time starters on defense this season.
The Bulldogs are tied for second in the conference with just six rushing touchdowns allowed this season and tied for second in fumble recoveries. State has forced a turnover in six of eight games this year, with 12 total takeaways. Only one team has rushed for more than 200 yards against MSU, and four opponents were held to fewer than 100 yards on the ground.
Individually, Arnett has had a major impact in the development of the Bulldog linebackers. Senior Erroll Thompson is the SEC's active career leader in tackles and is seeking to become the first Bulldog with 300 career tackles since at least 2000. Sophomore Aaron Brule has been disruptive for Arnett, ranking second among FBS linebackers with 30 total pressures per Pro Football Focus.
Additionally, cornerback Martin Emerson ranks second in the SEC with eight pass breakups this season, and defensive end Marquiss Spencer's 8.0 tackles for loss are tied for second in the conference at his position.
Last year, Arnett was named to the AFCA's prestigious 35 Under 35 Coaches' Leadership Institute and led San Diego State's defense to a top-10 national ranking in seven categories. Over the 2018 and 2019 seasons, Arnett's defense led the nation in rushing yards allowed per game and per carry while being one of six teams not to allow an opponent to score 40 points in that span.
A 43-member selection committee of distinguished former head coaches, broadcasters, and a committee representing the FWAA will select 15 semi-finalists and five finalists from the list of nominees before choosing an overall winner.
For more information on the Bulldogs, follow MSU football on Twitter, like them on Facebook and join them on Instagram by searching for "HailStateFB."
Arnett was one of 56 nominees chosen from approximately 1,270 coaches representing 127 Division I programs. In 2020, he has led a Bulldog defense that has outperformed preseason expectations, ranking among the top 25 nationally in rushing defense despite using nine first-time starters on defense this season.
The Bulldogs are tied for second in the conference with just six rushing touchdowns allowed this season and tied for second in fumble recoveries. State has forced a turnover in six of eight games this year, with 12 total takeaways. Only one team has rushed for more than 200 yards against MSU, and four opponents were held to fewer than 100 yards on the ground.
Individually, Arnett has had a major impact in the development of the Bulldog linebackers. Senior Erroll Thompson is the SEC's active career leader in tackles and is seeking to become the first Bulldog with 300 career tackles since at least 2000. Sophomore Aaron Brule has been disruptive for Arnett, ranking second among FBS linebackers with 30 total pressures per Pro Football Focus.
Additionally, cornerback Martin Emerson ranks second in the SEC with eight pass breakups this season, and defensive end Marquiss Spencer's 8.0 tackles for loss are tied for second in the conference at his position.
Last year, Arnett was named to the AFCA's prestigious 35 Under 35 Coaches' Leadership Institute and led San Diego State's defense to a top-10 national ranking in seven categories. Over the 2018 and 2019 seasons, Arnett's defense led the nation in rushing yards allowed per game and per carry while being one of six teams not to allow an opponent to score 40 points in that span.
A 43-member selection committee of distinguished former head coaches, broadcasters, and a committee representing the FWAA will select 15 semi-finalists and five finalists from the list of nominees before choosing an overall winner.
For more information on the Bulldogs, follow MSU football on Twitter, like them on Facebook and join them on Instagram by searching for "HailStateFB."
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