FOOTBALL MSU turns defense over to Brock

There was a new man calling the defense for Mississippi State in the Bulldogs' Reliaquest Bowl win over Illinois, but only a handful of people truly knew.

Perhaps that's the most telling sign that Matt Brock is ready to run things on that side of the ball. Zach Arnett noticed early in bowl practices and shortly after the tragic loss of head coach Mike Leach that led to Arnett's hiring that life as the head coach is all consuming. So Arnett told Brock to take over the play calls and it led to quite possibly the team's best defensive performance of the year.

The last few months, Brock has taken over the defense completely while Arnett has transitioned to head coach. In some ways, there's a much different feel from when Leach was running things, but Brock said it's been business as usual for the Bulldogs, but Arnett has certainly helped him move up a seat.

“There's always differences because you've got a different personality with the head coach,” Brock said. “It's probably less difference for me on the defense because (Arnett) has basically been head coach of the defense because of how coach Leach allowed the operation to be ran with him. Now it permeates throughout the whole organization.

“Just like he did as a defensive coordinator when he came in and had a smooth transition with that, he has a plan as a head football coach. He's working to execute every day. He's always going to be a defensive head coach so he's always going to be involved. We've always had a good relationship going through different things so there's all kind of support there. I can lean on him in different ways.”

It helps Brock that there are several veteran voices in the locker room as well.

MSU got huge news for the defense in the offseason when announcements from several players came through that they would use a final season of eligibility to return and play for the Bulldogs. Defensive linemen Jaden Crumedy, Nathan Pickering, De'Monte Russell and Jordan Davis announced their returns, as did linebackers Jett Johnson and Nathaniel Watson and safety Shawn Preston.

Those are the players that have set the tone in the spring. There hasn't been much handholding or basic fundamental teaching from Brock. That crew knows the expectations and they're setting them for the younger talent, too.

“After practice, I said to them that if the guy in the back of the room is echoing the same message as the coach or whoever is in the front of the room, that's when you actually get things going in the right direction,” Brock said. “Obviously, those guys are very important in that.”

The front six looks to be the heartbeat of the defense this year with all of those returners, but things get a little thin on experience in the secondary for Brock. The coach is inheriting a unit that lost the three starters at safety in Jalen Green, Jackie Matthews and Colin Duncan and then Emmanuel Forbes declared for the National Football League Draft at cornerback.

Corners have reloaded with the addition of Miami transfer Khamauri Rogers along with what State returns in starter Decamerion Richardson as well as veteran Esaias Furdge and former four-star junior college player Decarlos Nicholson. At safety, there remains some questions. The defense brought in transfers Chris Keys from Indiana and Ja'Kobi Albert from Kentucky to go along with some young players added the last few years but Preston is the one player with veteran leadership.

“I think they've done a good job adapting and learning,” Brock said of the safeties. “There's a long way to go. We've thrown quite a bit at them. I told Chris Keys in warmups ‘you're on the accelerated learning program here. We can't take our time with you. We've got to go.' The challenge is how quick can they get caught up so their natural ability shows and they play free minded?”

One thing that has been noticeable this spring from some of those new faces is the different kind of numbers they're wearing. It's a bit unusual sometimes to look up and see a safety or cornerback wearing a number in the 40s and there are even more oddities out there for other players.

Many times in recruiting, a number promise is part of a signature for the recruit, but that's not how it's working for Arnett and his staff. Players are going to have to earn whatever number they get.

“I think anything worth getting is worth earning and putting hard work into it,” Brock said. “Any time you can eradicate entitlement, it's a good thing, especially in today's age of the recruiting process being all about entitlement. I'm very supportive of that policy.”

Spring marches on next week but a week off will make the heart grow fonder. Brock certainly can't wait to get out on the field again with his players.

The first two practices were complete last week and the first-year coordinator has enjoyed growing with his team. Another step forward comes after spring break.

“It's been a lot of fun,” Brock said. “Any time you're out there on the grass with those guys flying around, it's fun no matter what position you're in. I enjoy coaching football, I enjoyed playing football. All of it is fun to me.”