Listening And Learning
August 02, 2023 | Football, Joel Coleman
Zach Arnett enters his first full season as head coach with an incredibly valuable quality.
STARKVILLE – Maybe it's from his background as a former linebacker. Perhaps it's come from the last half-decade he spent as a defensive coordinator. Whatever it is, when Mississippi State head coach Zach Arnett's name is brought up, certain characteristics immediately come to mind.
Tough. No-nonsense. Blue-collar. Intense. The list goes on and on so long as the word describes a driven, fiery football man committed to winning.
But don't allow any of those descriptors to deceive you. Sure, to some, Arnett might seem like only a hard-nosed coach, yet what makes him unique is that just underneath the surface, Arnett is a sponge.
As he gets ready to begin his first full season as MSU's leader beginning with the opening of training camp on Friday, what might give the Bulldogs a leg up headed into the new year has been Arnett's total willingness to listen, adapt and apply what he's learned since he was promoted to head coach last December.
"I think information is great anytime you can get access to more information," Arnett said. "I've talked to former [MSU] head coaches and got their opinions on what it takes to be successful at Mississippi State [and] what the strengths of this program are. I've talked to former players. Anyone that I can talk to and get information or an opinion from on how to be successful, I'm going to listen because there isn't anyone that has it all figured out."
It's a mindset that shows Arnett is wise well beyond his 36, soon to be 37, years of age. His wisdom probably shouldn't come as much of a surprise. After all, Arnett's coaching career has been raised by two of the greatest minds to ever guide college football programs.
Arnett played for, then later worked under, defensive guru Rocky Long – a man who helped bring the 3-3-5 defense to prominence. Then of course, the late, great Mike Leach handed Arnett the keys to the Mississippi State defense back in 2020.
Ask Arnett what stood out the most and what he takes with him from being around both of those legendary men and he quickly points to their humility.
"They've been successful everywhere they've been," Arnett said. "They're very highly thought of in the profession. Yet, inside their buildings, [their thoughts were] always, 'Hey, coaches have nothing to do with [success]. It's all about players. Nothing you do as a coach – some scheme or play you draw up on offense or blitz you draw up on defense [determines success]. It's all about getting your players to play fast with great effort, intensity and fundamentals. That's ultimately what makes you a good football team and how you're judged as a coach.'
"I've just always been really impressed with how they took a back seat to everything – their humility when they've been incredibly successful."
The Arnett apple didn't fall too far from the Long/Leach tree. Like his mentors, Arnett is always quick to point out that it's the players that win football games. Beyond that, Arnett's own humility and complete willingness to admit he doesn't know it all allows him the ability to open up his ears when others, if put in his shoes, might be too prideful to do so.
If a past MSU coach or player has something to pass on, Arnett's mentality is, 'Let's hear it.' Then, 'Let's hear it' might turn into, 'Let's do it.'
From signing a Top-25 recruiting class last year based around instate talent, to this season, going back to a once-annual tradition of hosting a handful of training camp practices at MSU's South Farm – Arnett has shown time and time again the input he receives isn't gained in vain.
"I'm a history major and not nearly some deep-thinking intellect, but I do think past performance and history and all is meant for us to study and learn from," Arnett said. "So, if I can look back at the most successful years here and most successful recruiting classes – if we can gain some information and knowledge from that, it'd be pretty stupid of me not to do that."
Arnett is of course his own man. His want to hear others out doesn't mean there won't be times he'll forge his own path in the days, months and years to come. But each step along the journey will be carefully considered by an individual who willingly takes information provided him by his brilliant, veteran assistants and others, then applied accordingly.
Now, it does bear noting there's one thing Arnett doesn't listen or pay attention to. If there's an outside opinion on the Bulldogs, don't count on Arnett seeing or caring about it.
"It's pretty easy for me not to look at that stuff," Arnett said. "I'm not on social media very much. I'm not going down to the local bookstore to pick up the latest magazine…I don't read any of that stuff."
Arnett is humble enough to listen and smart enough to filter out any useless noise. It's a combination of talents that might mean the thing he hears the most this fall is 60,000 clanging cowbells inside Davis Wade Stadium cheering on the success of himself and his Bulldogs.