Within the wake of the stunning loss of life of former Mississippi State head soccer coach Mike Leach, the varsity has agreed phrases with defensive coordinator Zach Arnett to turn out to be the crew’s subsequent head coach.
The 36-year-old Arnett has been the crew’s defensive coordinator/linebackers coach since he joined this system in 2020. He was initially named interim coach when Leach was first hospitalized, within the wake of a ‘large coronary heart assault’.
Mississippi State completed the season 8-4 and have determined to nonetheless play within the ReliaQuest Bowl in opposition to Illinois on January 2nd, 2023.
Zach Arnett (R) has agreed to turn out to be the brand new head coach of the Mississippi State Bulldogs
Leach died at 61 years previous this week following problems from a coronary heart assault he suffered
Arnett as soon as performed linebacker on the College of New Mexico, and after following the completion of his taking part in profession Arnett started his teaching profession as a graduate assistant at San Diego State beneath his New Mexico coach Rocky Lengthy.
He was promoted and named Aztecs’ linebackers coach from 2014 to 2017 earlier than being named the defensive coordinator from 2018 to 2019.
After finally becoming a member of Leach’s workers at Mississippi State the Bulldogs went 19-17, whereas successful the 2020 Armed Forces Bowl and dropping the 2021 Liberty Bowl.
The video board at Davis Wade Stadium shows a message in reminiscence of Leach on Tuesday
The world of soccer paid tribute to Leach following the tragic information of his loss of life on Tuesday
Whereas Arnett tries to proceed the legacy left on by Leach, the affect he had on each his crew however the sport of school soccer as an entire will definitely be missed.
Six of the 20 greatest passing seasons in main school soccer historical past have been by quarterbacks who performed for Leach, together with 4 of the highest six.
His Air Raid offense revolutionized the sport and is presently probably the most mimicked types of offense across the sport, whereas additionally seeing rules of the offense built-in into NFL schemes.
He additionally has probably the most in depth teaching timber within the sport with coaches like Southern California’s Lincoln Riley; TCU’s Sonny Dykes; Tennessee’s Josh Heupel; Baylor’s Dave Aranda; Houston’s Dana Holgorsen; West Virginia’s Neal Brown; Louisiana Tech’s Sonny Cumbie; and Kliff Kingsbury of the Arizona Cardinals.
Arnett and the Bulldogs will certainly hope he can add his identify to that record sooner reasonably than later.
