Report: UNLV defensive coordinator Zach Arnett resigns for personal reasons

UNLV defensive coordinator Zach Arnett has resigned for personal reasons. That news comes according to a report from Sports Illustrated’s Bryan Fischer.

Associate head coach Paul Guenther will step into the role as the Rebels’ interim defensive coordinator. The team is currently in the middle of spring practice.

There were no reasons given for the departure of Zach Arnett, other than personal reasons. Arnett has only been in the role for a few months, hired by new UNLV head coach Dan Mullen in December.

Despite both having deep ties in Starkville, neither Arnett nor Mullen had worked together at Mississippi State. Arnett was a hire of the late Mike Leach, joining the Bulldogs in 2020 from San Diego State. Mullen was still in the SEC at the time but with the Florida Gators. The two never faced off against one another either due to divisions within the conference.

Still, there was at least some level of familiarity between the two, and Arnett was tapped for a role on Mullen’s staff. He had other offers, too.

UNLV was not the only school coming after Zach Arnett to be its defensive coordinator this offseason. Appalachian State — which also has another recently hired head coach in Dowell Loggains — was pursuing the former Mississippi State headman as well.

Prior to taking the job at UNLV, Zach Arnett spent one season at Ole Miss as an analyst on Lane Kiffin‘s staff. He had previously spent time as the head coach at Mississippi State.

ZACH ARNETT’S COACHING FILE
2025-SA            UNLV – Defensive Coordinator
2024                  Ole Miss – Analyst
2022-23              Mississippi State – Interim Head Coach/Interim 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

On3’s Griffin McVeigh also contributed to this report.