Arnett happy to be a part of Bulldog defense
Zach Arnett can see being in Starkville for a long time.
The Mississippi State defensive coordinator can think of several reasons why that can be the case.
“I absolutely love it here,” Arnett said on Wednesday. “First of all, I get to work with a fantastic head coach and a future Hall of Famer (Mike Leach) obviously. For a young coach to get to learn from him and other guys on the staff who have a lot more years of experience and knowledge is incredibly invaluable. There’s some great players in this program.
They are great football players and even better guys.
“I am married with two young kids and I don’t think there is a better place to raise a family and I have incredible neighbors.”
The Bulldogs have certainly benefitted from Arnett’s presence in the program this season.
MSU’S defense has made strides under Arnett. It is tied for second in the Southeastern Conference with just six rushing touchdowns allowed this season and tied for second in fumble recoveries. The Bulldogs have forced a turnover in six of eight games this year with 12 total takeaways.
Only one team has rushed for more than 200 yards against MSU, and four opponents were held to fewer than 100 yards on the ground.
Sophomore linebacker Nathaniel Watson said this week that the Bulldogs are “a step ahead” of where they were last year defensively and loves playing for Arnett.
“He is really intense and fun guy to be around,” Watson said.
For the way his unit has played this season, it was announced on Tuesday that Arnett was nominated for the Broyles Award, which honors the best assistant coach in college football.
Arnett deflects any atten
tion from himself right back to the players.
“I certainly appreciate it, but seeing how me and every other guy on that list hasn’t made a tackle or scored a touchdown or made a single play all year, it’s really a nod to the players and how hard they’ve played and executed,” Arnett said. “As a coach, we’re just lucky enough to get to work with players. They are the ones that actually producing the results on the field. I think any kind of award or nomination is really a recognition of the job the players have done, but I’ve been incredibly lucky.
“We have some great seniors particularly on the defensive side of the ball that make my job really easy. Erroll Thompson, Kobe Jones and Marquiss Spencer have taken control and lead the group every day. I’ve gotten to just sit back and ride their coat tails.”
Thompson
is the SEC’S active career leader in tackles and is seeking to become the first Bulldog with 300 career tackles since at least 2000. Sophomore Aaron Brule has been a force in the pass rush for MSU and ranks second among FBS linebackers with 30 total pressures per Pro
Football Focus.
Aren’t respects the tradition of the Bulldog defense over the years and is just happy to be a part of it.
“This place has had a culture of good defense for a long time,” Arnett said. “It’s not me that’s doing it.”