Football
Arnett, Zach
Zach Arnett
- Title:
- Head Football Coach
- Phone:
- 662-325-3470
Season at MSU: 1st as Head Coach; 4th on Staff
Twitter: @CoachZachArnett
COACHING NOTES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS
• A proven leader for the Mississippi State football program throughout his tenure in Starkville, was named the Bulldogs' 35th head football coach on December 15, 2022.
• Considered a rising star in the coaching profession and regarded as one of the top defensive minds in college football, served as MSU's defensive coordinator from 2020-22.
• Worked with linebackers during his first two seasons in Starkville before transitioning to leading the safeties unit in 2022. Runs a signature 3-3-5 scheme and has as a reputation for aggressive play, heavy blitzing and a commitment to physicality.
• Arnett's attacking style of defense has proven to be a hallmark of recent MSU teams as the Bulldogs have ranked in the top five of the SEC in his three seasons in total defense, rushing defense and takeaways.
• During the 2022 season, the Mississippi State defense boasted two of the top tacklers in the SEC. Nathaniel Watson led the SEC and Jett Johnson tied for third in the league, making Mississippi State the only program in the league featuring two players with more than 100 tackles on the season.
• Cornerback Emmanuel Forbes proved to be one of the top cornerbacks in the entire nation, earning numerous All-America honors after closing out the regular season ranked second nationally with six interceptions, while he also broke the FBS career record for pick-sixes (6) after adding three this season. His 174 interception return yards in 2022 also leads the nation.
• Prior to MSU, spent the previous nine seasons at San Diego State under the mentorship of one of the game’s great defensive minds in former Aztecs head coach Rocky Long. Began his coaching career as a defensive graduate assistant in 2011 before being elevated to linebackers coach in 2014 and promoted to defensive coordinator in 2018.
• Has produced four NFL Draft picks in three years at MSU: DL Marquiss Spencer (seventh round) in 2021, CB Martin Emerson (third round) in 2022, and Emmanuel Forbes (first round) and Cameron Youmg (fourth round) in 2023.
• A two-time nominee for the Broyles Award (2020 and 2021) which is given to the nation’s top assistant coach, and a member of the prestigious AFCA 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute (2020).
• Against SEC teams, Arnett’s defense ranked third in total defense (352.3) in 2021 and fourth in total defense (380.3) in 2020 after ranking 11th (419.3) in 2019 before his arrival at MSU.
• In 2021, held the following opponents to season lows: No. 12 Kentucky (216 yards of total offense), NC State (337 yards of total offense and 34 yards rushing), No. 15 Texas A&M (135 yards passing), Vanderbilt (9 yards rushing).
• In his first year in Starkville taking over a defense that featured an astounding 11 first-time starters, ranked fifth in total defense (389.7) after ranking 11th the season prior to his arrival. Also ranked fifth in the SEC in yards per play allowed (5.5), ranked third in the SEC in rushing touchdowns allowed (11), ranked fourth in the SEC in takeaways (18) and led the SEC in fourth-down conversion rate (42.9). Finished sixth in the SEC in scoring defense (28.1), six spots higher than in 2019. Freshman All-American cornerback Emmanuel Forbes led the SEC in interceptions (5) and led the nation in defensive touchdowns (3), while cornerback Martin Emerson tied for the SEC lead with 11 pass breakups.
• Especially stout on drives after it forced a turnover in 2020. When the ball was taken away by an interception or fumble, Arnett’s defense allowed just 305 yards over 18 opposing possessions while forcing seven punts with five three-and-outs and three turnovers. In the 23 total drives, MSU’s opponents ran 97 plays for 373 total yards (3.85 yards per play) with an average time of possession of 1:49. MSU forced punts on nine of 23 drives following a turnover, including seven three-and-outs, and forced five turnovers while allowing six touchdowns.
• Led a 2019 San Diego State defense that ranked in the top 10 nationally in seven categories. The Aztecs finished second in rushing defense (75.4 yards per game), third in scoring defense (12.7 points per game), fourth in interceptions (18), fourth in first downs allowed (198), sixth in total defense (287.8), sixth in passing efficiency defense (110.25) and eighth in takeaways (27).
• During his first season at the helm of San Diego State’s defense in 2018, the Aztecs ranked seventh nationally against the run (103.8 yards per game), 13th in first downs allowed (216) and 21st in total defense (334.6 yards per game).
• In nine seasons at San Diego State, the Aztecs posted a combined 81-38 (.681) record, won three Mountain West Conference championships, and played in a bowl game every year – winning four of them. He coached seven all-conference linebackers, including Kyahva Tezino, who was an All-Mountain West first team selection in 2018 and 2019. Arnett also guided the career of All-American and three-time All-Mountain West choice Calvin Munson, who finished sixth in SDSU history with 301 tackles.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS A PLAYER
• Prior to coaching, played linebacker for four seasons (2005-08) at the University of New Mexico. Logged 200 career tackles and tied for the FBS lead with six forced fumbles as a senior captain in 2008. Arnett helped the Lobos to 25 wins as a student-athlete and consecutive bowl appearances in 2006 and 2007.
• Four-time academic all-conference selection and earned 2008 CoSIDA Academic All-America first team honors.
• A native of Albuquerque, New Mexico, attended La Cueva High School, where he was a two-sport athlete in football and baseball. Originally signed to play baseball at New Mexico before earning a football scholarship the summer prior to the start of his true freshman season.
• Graduated from New Mexico in 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in history and minor in political science. He and his wife, Emily, have one son, Case, and a daughter, Collins.
PERSONAL INFO
Hometown: Albuquerque, N.M.
Education: New Mexico, 2009 (B.S., History)
Wife: Emily
Children: Case, Collins, Clayton
Birthday: Sept. 10, 1986
COACHING CAREER
2022-present: Mississippi State
Head Coach
2022: Mississippi State
Defensive Coordinator/Safeties
2020-21: Mississippi State
Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
2018-19: San Diego State
Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
2014-17: San Diego State
Linebackers
2011-13: San Diego State
Graduate Assistant/Defense
BOWL GAMES AS A COACH
2022 ReliaQuest Bowl (Mississippi State)
2021 Liberty Bowl (Mississippi State)
2020 Armed Forces Bowl (Mississippi State)
2019 New Mexico Bowl (San Diego State)
2018 Frisco Bowl (San Diego State)
2017 Armed Forces Bowl (San Diego State)
2016 Las Vegas Bowl (San Diego State)
2015 Hawai’i Bowl (San Diego State)
2014 Poinsettia Bowl (San Diego State)
2013 Potato Bowl (San Diego State)
2012 Poinsettia Bowl (San Diego State)
2011 New Orleans Bowl (San Diego State)
Twitter: @CoachZachArnett
COACHING NOTES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS
• A proven leader for the Mississippi State football program throughout his tenure in Starkville, was named the Bulldogs' 35th head football coach on December 15, 2022.
• Considered a rising star in the coaching profession and regarded as one of the top defensive minds in college football, served as MSU's defensive coordinator from 2020-22.
• Worked with linebackers during his first two seasons in Starkville before transitioning to leading the safeties unit in 2022. Runs a signature 3-3-5 scheme and has as a reputation for aggressive play, heavy blitzing and a commitment to physicality.
• Arnett's attacking style of defense has proven to be a hallmark of recent MSU teams as the Bulldogs have ranked in the top five of the SEC in his three seasons in total defense, rushing defense and takeaways.
• During the 2022 season, the Mississippi State defense boasted two of the top tacklers in the SEC. Nathaniel Watson led the SEC and Jett Johnson tied for third in the league, making Mississippi State the only program in the league featuring two players with more than 100 tackles on the season.
• Cornerback Emmanuel Forbes proved to be one of the top cornerbacks in the entire nation, earning numerous All-America honors after closing out the regular season ranked second nationally with six interceptions, while he also broke the FBS career record for pick-sixes (6) after adding three this season. His 174 interception return yards in 2022 also leads the nation.
• Prior to MSU, spent the previous nine seasons at San Diego State under the mentorship of one of the game’s great defensive minds in former Aztecs head coach Rocky Long. Began his coaching career as a defensive graduate assistant in 2011 before being elevated to linebackers coach in 2014 and promoted to defensive coordinator in 2018.
• Has produced four NFL Draft picks in three years at MSU: DL Marquiss Spencer (seventh round) in 2021, CB Martin Emerson (third round) in 2022, and Emmanuel Forbes (first round) and Cameron Youmg (fourth round) in 2023.
• A two-time nominee for the Broyles Award (2020 and 2021) which is given to the nation’s top assistant coach, and a member of the prestigious AFCA 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute (2020).
• Against SEC teams, Arnett’s defense ranked third in total defense (352.3) in 2021 and fourth in total defense (380.3) in 2020 after ranking 11th (419.3) in 2019 before his arrival at MSU.
• In 2021, held the following opponents to season lows: No. 12 Kentucky (216 yards of total offense), NC State (337 yards of total offense and 34 yards rushing), No. 15 Texas A&M (135 yards passing), Vanderbilt (9 yards rushing).
• In his first year in Starkville taking over a defense that featured an astounding 11 first-time starters, ranked fifth in total defense (389.7) after ranking 11th the season prior to his arrival. Also ranked fifth in the SEC in yards per play allowed (5.5), ranked third in the SEC in rushing touchdowns allowed (11), ranked fourth in the SEC in takeaways (18) and led the SEC in fourth-down conversion rate (42.9). Finished sixth in the SEC in scoring defense (28.1), six spots higher than in 2019. Freshman All-American cornerback Emmanuel Forbes led the SEC in interceptions (5) and led the nation in defensive touchdowns (3), while cornerback Martin Emerson tied for the SEC lead with 11 pass breakups.
• Especially stout on drives after it forced a turnover in 2020. When the ball was taken away by an interception or fumble, Arnett’s defense allowed just 305 yards over 18 opposing possessions while forcing seven punts with five three-and-outs and three turnovers. In the 23 total drives, MSU’s opponents ran 97 plays for 373 total yards (3.85 yards per play) with an average time of possession of 1:49. MSU forced punts on nine of 23 drives following a turnover, including seven three-and-outs, and forced five turnovers while allowing six touchdowns.
• Led a 2019 San Diego State defense that ranked in the top 10 nationally in seven categories. The Aztecs finished second in rushing defense (75.4 yards per game), third in scoring defense (12.7 points per game), fourth in interceptions (18), fourth in first downs allowed (198), sixth in total defense (287.8), sixth in passing efficiency defense (110.25) and eighth in takeaways (27).
• During his first season at the helm of San Diego State’s defense in 2018, the Aztecs ranked seventh nationally against the run (103.8 yards per game), 13th in first downs allowed (216) and 21st in total defense (334.6 yards per game).
• In nine seasons at San Diego State, the Aztecs posted a combined 81-38 (.681) record, won three Mountain West Conference championships, and played in a bowl game every year – winning four of them. He coached seven all-conference linebackers, including Kyahva Tezino, who was an All-Mountain West first team selection in 2018 and 2019. Arnett also guided the career of All-American and three-time All-Mountain West choice Calvin Munson, who finished sixth in SDSU history with 301 tackles.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS A PLAYER
• Prior to coaching, played linebacker for four seasons (2005-08) at the University of New Mexico. Logged 200 career tackles and tied for the FBS lead with six forced fumbles as a senior captain in 2008. Arnett helped the Lobos to 25 wins as a student-athlete and consecutive bowl appearances in 2006 and 2007.
• Four-time academic all-conference selection and earned 2008 CoSIDA Academic All-America first team honors.
• A native of Albuquerque, New Mexico, attended La Cueva High School, where he was a two-sport athlete in football and baseball. Originally signed to play baseball at New Mexico before earning a football scholarship the summer prior to the start of his true freshman season.
• Graduated from New Mexico in 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in history and minor in political science. He and his wife, Emily, have one son, Case, and a daughter, Collins.
PERSONAL INFO
Hometown: Albuquerque, N.M.
Education: New Mexico, 2009 (B.S., History)
Wife: Emily
Children: Case, Collins, Clayton
Birthday: Sept. 10, 1986
COACHING CAREER
2022-present: Mississippi State
Head Coach
2022: Mississippi State
Defensive Coordinator/Safeties
2020-21: Mississippi State
Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
2018-19: San Diego State
Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
2014-17: San Diego State
Linebackers
2011-13: San Diego State
Graduate Assistant/Defense
BOWL GAMES AS A COACH
2022 ReliaQuest Bowl (Mississippi State)
2021 Liberty Bowl (Mississippi State)
2020 Armed Forces Bowl (Mississippi State)
2019 New Mexico Bowl (San Diego State)
2018 Frisco Bowl (San Diego State)
2017 Armed Forces Bowl (San Diego State)
2016 Las Vegas Bowl (San Diego State)
2015 Hawai’i Bowl (San Diego State)
2014 Poinsettia Bowl (San Diego State)
2013 Potato Bowl (San Diego State)
2012 Poinsettia Bowl (San Diego State)
2011 New Orleans Bowl (San Diego State)
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