The Mississippi State football program is hiring interim coach, defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Zach Arnett as its full-time head coach, according to Sports Illustrated’s Ross Dellenger.
Arnett, 36, replaces Bulldogs coach Mike Leach, who died Monday night at age 61 after suffering a massive heart attack Sunday.
In the wake of Leach’s medical emergency, Mississippi State named Arnett interim head coach. On Wednesday, Arnett became the third-youngest head coach in the FBS, behind only 32-year-old Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham and 35-year-old South Alabama coach Kane Wommack.
Under Arnett, the Bulldogs ranked fifth in the SEC in passing defense, rushing defense and total defense in 2022.