STARKVILLE — Mike Leach has finalized his first staff at Mississippi State.
Per a news release, Leach has hired all 10 of his allotted on-field assistants. Of those, running backs coach Eric Mele, offensive line coach Mason Miller, inside receivers coach David Nichol, outside receivers coach Steve Spurrier Jr., special teams coordinator Matt Brock, cornerbacks coach Darcel McBath and defensive line coach Jeff Phelps followed Leach from Washington State.
Rounding out the staff are defensive coordinator Zach Arnett (San Diego State), safeties coach Jason Washington (Texas) and associate head coach/nickelbacks Tony Hughes — the lone on-field holdover from previous coach Joe Moorhead’s time in Starkville.
Leach did not hire an offensive coordinator, as he will run the offense.
Spurrier Jr. — the son of legendary Florida coach Steve Spurrier — is the lone import with Southeastern Conference coaching experience. He spent time as an offensive assistant at South Carolina from 2005 to 2015.
The full list of coaches is as follows:
Eric Mele – Running Backs
Mason Miller – Offensive Line
Dave Nichol – Inside Receivers
Steve Spurrier Jr. – Outside Receivers
Zach Arnett — Defensive coordinator
Tony Hughes – Associate Head Coach/Nickelbacks
Matt Brock – Special Teams Coordinator/Outside Linebackers
Darcel McBath – Cornerbacks
Jeff Phelps – Defensive Line
Jason Washington – Safeties
Ben Portnoy reports on Mississippi State sports for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter at @bportnoy15.
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