STARKVILLE – Mississippi State head coach Jeff Lebby confirmed the appointment of Zach Arnett as the Bulldogs’ new defensive coordinator on Sunday, marking the return of his predecessor in the same position he began in 2020 under Mike Leach.

Arnett led the unit to three consecutive top-five SEC defensive finishes between 2020 and 2022 before he was elevated to head coach after Leach’s sudden passing in December, 2020. Arnett led the Bulldogs to a bowl win at the end of the 2022 season and was head coach for 10 games in 2023 before being fired with a 4-6 record.

“Zach is one of the top defensive minds in college football, and we are excited to welcome him back to Mississippi State,” Lebby said in an MSU press release. “His defenses here were tough, disciplined and among the most productive in the SEC. He brings energy, edge and a defined identity to our defense, and I’m confident he will help elevate our program immediately.”

According to a report from ESPN, Arnett signed a three-year contract to return to the Bulldogs.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to return to Mississippi State and lead this defense,” Arnett said. “This place means a great deal to me and my family, and Starkville has always felt like home. I’m excited to get to work for Coach Lebby, support his vision and do my part in contributing to the program.”

Arnett replaces Coleman Hutzler, who was no longer with the program as of Saturday morning, an MSU spokesperson told The Dispatch. The Bulldog failed to live up to the standard of recent years, struggling to stop the run or get after opposing quarterbacks. The defense tallied 20 total sacks, with the leader, linebacker Nic Mitchell, holding just 2.5. In 2024, the Bulldogs tallied just 10 sacks.

MSU ranked 95th in FBS in total defense this season, allowing an average of 29.2 points per game and more than 400 yards per game. The Bulldogs also ranked last in rushing defense in the SEC, allowing an average of 189.5 yards per game and more than 1,000 yards on the ground in the final four regular-season games combined.

Since leaving MSU, Arnett has worked as a defensive analyst for Ole Miss under Lane Kiffin and Florida State this past year under Mike Norvell. He worked briefly as the defensive coordinator for Dan Mullen at UNLV over the spring, but left the program in April for “personal reasons.”

Arnett first worked as a defensive coordinator at San Diego State in 2018, and along with defensive playcalling duties, he has worked as a position coach for linebackers and safeties. His defenses at MSU developed a reputation for aggression, ranking top-five in the conference in points per possession, limiting explosive plays and forcing turnovers.

When Arnett was dismissed as head coach, the university agreed to a $4.5 million buyout over three years, or 50% of the remaining $9 million on his four-year contract. The buyout added up to $1.5 million annually over the remaining three years of his initial head coaching contract, 2024-2026. As part of the agreement, Arnett’s salary at another job in football would be deducted from what MSU owed in that year.