Ole Miss analyst Zach Arnett poised to be App State defensive coordinator
Ole Miss analyst and former Mississippi State head coach Zach Arnett is set to be the next defensive coordinator at App State, according to Football Scoop.
As the Ole Miss Spirit reported earlier this year, Arnett was drawing defensive coordinator interest from around the country.
“Zach’s been great to have around,” Kiffin said in November. “Very different systems between what he does and what (Ole Miss defensive coordinator) Pete (Golding) does, so I think it’s been really great for him to have around. He does a great job.
“Really, no job’s too small. He helps run different parts of the service team and stuff. I can see why he’s been a great coordinator and a great motivator of players.”
“He’s added a lot of experience to our defense,” Ole Miss linebacker TJ Dottery added. “I think everybody gains knowledge from him — not only the players, but the coaches as well. He does a great job with just helping anywhere he can. He’s got a lot of experience, and his knowledge, he helps with the defensive line, linebackers and even defensive backs. He talks to everybody. I think that’s where it comes in the most.”
Arnett served as analyst on the Ole Miss staff this past season. He was the Mississippi State defensive coordinator starting in 2020 then Arnett took over as Bulldogs head coach after the passing of Mike Leach. He went 5-6 overall before the school elected to make a change. Prior to his stop in Starkville, he coached at San Diego State prior to coming to the SEC.
Arnett coached one game in 2022 following Leach’s passing, winning the ReliaQuest Bowl. The Bulldogs finished No. 20 in the AP Poll.
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However, he went 4-6 through 10 games the following season and Mississippi State fired him with two games left.
Zach Arnett began his coaching career in 2011 with San Diego State as a graduate assistant. After three seasons in the role, he moved to linebackers coach in 2014.
In 2018, Arnett became the defensive coordinator on top of his position coach duties. Then in 2020, he was hired by Mississippi State.
No. 14 Ole Miss (9-3, 5-3 SEC) takes on Duke (9-3, 5-3 ACC) in Jacksonville, Florida, on January 2, 2025 for the Gator Bowl. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. CT on ESPN.
