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Zach Arnett officially announced as Mississippi State's next defensive coordinator

Mississippi State football has its next defensive coordinator, and he's a familiar name to Bulldog fans. The program officially announced Zach Arnett as the replacement for Coleman Hutzler. Arnett previously served as State's DC from 2020-2022 under late HC Mike Leach. Following Leach's passing, Arnett was promoted to HC, leading the program for much of the 2023 season before being let go.

OFFICIAL: Zach Arnett has been named Mississippi State’s defensive coordinator.

ud83dudcf0: https://t.co/3Gr8p9ZOZv#HailState pic.twitter.com/ZLnti0u1t8— Mississippi State Football (@HailStateFB) December 7, 2025

From 2020-2022, Arnett's defenses in Starkville ranked in the Top 5 of the SEC in total defense, rushing defense, and turnovers forced.