Mississippi State Announces Return Of Matt Brock As Linebackers Coach/Co-Defensive Coordinator
December 10, 2025 | Football
STARKVILLE – Mississippi State head football coach Jeff Lebby announced Wednesday that Matt Brock is returning to Starkville as the Bulldogs' linebackers coach and co-defensive coordinator, reuniting with defensive coordinator Zach Arnett after spending the last two seasons as UConn's defensive coordinator.
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Brock led the UConn defense in 2024 and 2025, installing the 3-3-5 scheme in his first season and guiding one of the nation's most improved units. The Huskies finished fourth nationally in third-down defense (.297) in 2024 while holding opponents to 23.1 points per game, 132.3 rushing yards per game and 347.4 total yards, all top-50 marks among FBS leaders. In 2025, his defense produced one of the country's most disruptive pass rushes, ranking eighth in total sacks (36.0) and fifth in sacks per game (3.0).
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Brock previously spent four seasons at Mississippi State from 2020-23, rising from special teams coordinator and outside linebackers coach to defensive coordinator. He took over defensive play-calling duties in MSU's ReliaQuest Bowl win over Illinois following the 2022 season before coordinating the defense full-time in 2023. That unit ranked sixth in the SEC in total defense (350.6) and fifth in passing defense (204.7), anchored by the league's top two tacklers in SEC Defensive Player of the Year Nathaniel Watson (137) and Jett Johnson (130).
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From 2020-22, Brock worked closely alongside Arnett to help Mississippi State finish top five in the SEC across 28 defensive efficiency and production categories. The Bulldogs ranked No. 5 in the SEC in total defense in each individual season and excelled situationally, posting top-five league marks in limiting explosive plays, turnovers forced, points per possession allowed, scoring-drive percentage allowed, yards per play allowed, opponent quarterback rating, red-zone defensive efficiency and non-scoring drives forced. The front seven ranked among the conference's best, finishing top three in SEC front-seven efficiency and top five in inefficient plays forced and in possessions ending in a turnover, three-and-out or fourth-down stop.
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In 2022, Johnson and Watson again finished 1–2 in the SEC in total tackles as the Bulldogs closed the year ranked fifth in total defense (344.5), fifth in rushing defense (134.2) and second in turnovers gained (23). In 2021, MSU ranked fifth in total defense (345.2) and led the SEC in fewest first downs allowed (219). The 2020 Bulldogs ranked top five in the league in total defense (389.7), yards per play allowed (5.5) and rushing touchdowns allowed (11).
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Brock's career also includes coaching stops at Washington State, Bowling Green and Texas Tech. He was a 2017 Broyles Award nominee at Bowling Green after his special teams units ranked top 20 nationally in multiple categories, including No. 1 in kickoff defense and No. 3 in net punting average.
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A former standout linebacker at Baker University, Brock recorded 277 career tackles, earned all-conference honors in 2009 and 2010 and was a two-time Academic All-American. He graduated from Baker in 2011 with a bachelor's degree in physical education.
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Lebby on Brock
"We're fired up to bring Matt back to Mississippi State. He's an elite teacher and a rigorous game planner who is as detailed and thorough as anybody in this profession. Matt is a relentless recruiter, he develops players at a high level and he understands exactly how Zach wants to attack on defense. His experience, energy and preparation make him a huge addition for our program."
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Brock on Returning to Mississippi State
"I'm grateful for the opportunity to return to Mississippi State and be part of what Coach Lebby is building. My time here had a lasting impact on my family and I've always valued the people and the standard of this program. I fully believe in the direction the program is headed, and I'm excited to get to work."
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Brock Coaching History
2024-25 – UConn, Defensive Coordinator
2023 – Mississippi State, Defensive Coordinator
2022 – Mississippi State, Linebackers
2020-21 – Mississippi State, Special Teams Coordinator/Outside Linebackers
2018-19 – Washington State, Special Teams Coordinator/Outside Linebackers
2016-17 – Bowling Green, Special Teams Coordinator/Linebackers
2014-15 – Texas Tech, Inside Linebackers
2013 – Texas Tech, Defensive Quality Control
2011-12 – Baker University, Graduate Assistant
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Brock led the UConn defense in 2024 and 2025, installing the 3-3-5 scheme in his first season and guiding one of the nation's most improved units. The Huskies finished fourth nationally in third-down defense (.297) in 2024 while holding opponents to 23.1 points per game, 132.3 rushing yards per game and 347.4 total yards, all top-50 marks among FBS leaders. In 2025, his defense produced one of the country's most disruptive pass rushes, ranking eighth in total sacks (36.0) and fifth in sacks per game (3.0).
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Brock previously spent four seasons at Mississippi State from 2020-23, rising from special teams coordinator and outside linebackers coach to defensive coordinator. He took over defensive play-calling duties in MSU's ReliaQuest Bowl win over Illinois following the 2022 season before coordinating the defense full-time in 2023. That unit ranked sixth in the SEC in total defense (350.6) and fifth in passing defense (204.7), anchored by the league's top two tacklers in SEC Defensive Player of the Year Nathaniel Watson (137) and Jett Johnson (130).
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From 2020-22, Brock worked closely alongside Arnett to help Mississippi State finish top five in the SEC across 28 defensive efficiency and production categories. The Bulldogs ranked No. 5 in the SEC in total defense in each individual season and excelled situationally, posting top-five league marks in limiting explosive plays, turnovers forced, points per possession allowed, scoring-drive percentage allowed, yards per play allowed, opponent quarterback rating, red-zone defensive efficiency and non-scoring drives forced. The front seven ranked among the conference's best, finishing top three in SEC front-seven efficiency and top five in inefficient plays forced and in possessions ending in a turnover, three-and-out or fourth-down stop.
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In 2022, Johnson and Watson again finished 1–2 in the SEC in total tackles as the Bulldogs closed the year ranked fifth in total defense (344.5), fifth in rushing defense (134.2) and second in turnovers gained (23). In 2021, MSU ranked fifth in total defense (345.2) and led the SEC in fewest first downs allowed (219). The 2020 Bulldogs ranked top five in the league in total defense (389.7), yards per play allowed (5.5) and rushing touchdowns allowed (11).
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Brock's career also includes coaching stops at Washington State, Bowling Green and Texas Tech. He was a 2017 Broyles Award nominee at Bowling Green after his special teams units ranked top 20 nationally in multiple categories, including No. 1 in kickoff defense and No. 3 in net punting average.
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A former standout linebacker at Baker University, Brock recorded 277 career tackles, earned all-conference honors in 2009 and 2010 and was a two-time Academic All-American. He graduated from Baker in 2011 with a bachelor's degree in physical education.
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Lebby on Brock
"We're fired up to bring Matt back to Mississippi State. He's an elite teacher and a rigorous game planner who is as detailed and thorough as anybody in this profession. Matt is a relentless recruiter, he develops players at a high level and he understands exactly how Zach wants to attack on defense. His experience, energy and preparation make him a huge addition for our program."
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Brock on Returning to Mississippi State
"I'm grateful for the opportunity to return to Mississippi State and be part of what Coach Lebby is building. My time here had a lasting impact on my family and I've always valued the people and the standard of this program. I fully believe in the direction the program is headed, and I'm excited to get to work."
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Brock Coaching History
2024-25 – UConn, Defensive Coordinator
2023 – Mississippi State, Defensive Coordinator
2022 – Mississippi State, Linebackers
2020-21 – Mississippi State, Special Teams Coordinator/Outside Linebackers
2018-19 – Washington State, Special Teams Coordinator/Outside Linebackers
2016-17 – Bowling Green, Special Teams Coordinator/Linebackers
2014-15 – Texas Tech, Inside Linebackers
2013 – Texas Tech, Defensive Quality Control
2011-12 – Baker University, Graduate Assistant
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