Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss have raised eyebrows by adding a new face to the coaching staff. While adding a coach from an in-state rival is always certain to garner attention, when the coach was recently fired from that rival, it only adds more scrutiny. In the case of new Rebel defensive analyst Zach Arnett, this is precisely the case.
Despite being fired from Mississippi State in November, Arnett’s move to Oxford has Ole Miss fans optimistic. While his tenure as a head coach was short-lived, he has a positive reputation as a defensive mind. This defensive prowess is what Kiffin is hoping to get by adding Arnett to an already solid coaching staff.
Who is Zach Arnett?
Prior to starting his coaching career, Arnett spent four years as a linebacker at the University of New Mexico. Among numerous accolades as a player, he tied for the FBS lead in forced fumbles as a senior in 2008.
His coaching career started in 2011, as a graduate assistant at San Diego State. Starting in 2014, he then took over as linebackers coach for the Aztecs, where he began to make a name for himself. Following a successful stint in charge of the linebackers, he was promoted to defensive coordinator in 2018. He stayed in that role for two seasons at San Diego State. In his last season as an Aztec, their defense ranked in the top 10 nationally in seven different categories.
He used this success to get the opportunity to take the same position at Mississippi State under head coach Mike Leach. In three seasons as defensive coordinator in Starkville, his defenses consistently finished in the top half of the SEC, as well as nationally, in a variety of defensive categories.
Then, following Leach’s tragic death in December of 2022, Arnett was named the interim coach for the team’s bowl game. Shortly after, the school removed the interim tag, naming him as the team’s next head coach. However, the positives quickly came to a screeching halt, as he was fired merely 10 games into his first season, with a 4-6 record.
Premature Firing?
For many, Mississippi State’s firing of Arnett seemed a bit premature. For others, it seemed like the only decision. In his brief stint as head coach, the Bulldogs offense had become an abysmal show week in and week out. Following the days of Leach’s high-speed, air-raid offense, Arnett’s slowed-down, physical approach on that side of the ball was unacceptable.
Add in a defense that struggled to find its footing, and there proved to be few redeeming factors in his first year at the helm. Ultimately, this all proved to be enough for Mississippi State to decide to move on. And as with any firing, his reputation took a hit following the dismissal. This is where Kiffin and the Rebels come into play.
What Does Arnett Bring to Oxford?
First and foremost, Ole Miss fans don’t have to worry about Arnett having a say in offensive matters. Kiffin and offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. are sure to hang on to those duties. On the defensive side, Pete Golding is well respected as one of the better defensive coordinators in the country. However, being able to hire Arnett for a cheaper price as an analyst is a safe bet. After all, having two solid defensive minds on the same sideline isn’t an everyday occurrence.
Golding is well-known as a tremendous recruiter, and a bit of a “players coach.” Bringing in Arnett adds a bit of edge, and another brain to help with schematic ideas. Keeping in mind that Ole Miss is bringing in the top-rated transfer class according to 247Sports, built heavily on defensive talent like Walter Nolen and Princely Umanmielen, the Rebels can now argue they have elite talent on the field and on the sidelines. That is a combination that nearly always proves to be an indicator of success.
The Bottom Line
The fact is that many are going to look at this hire with skepticism. Arnett is a guy who just got fired from Mississippi State, and now he lands at Ole Miss? Naturally that raises eyebrows, and questions. But Kiffin is no stranger to flashy moves. And this hire proves to be no different.
However, for both sides, it’s a low-risk, high-reward hire. If it proves not to work out, the two sides can cut ties with little harm done, and little money wasted. If it does in fact work out, Ole Miss could easily find themselves with one of the best defensive units in the country. And for Arnett, it could help to restore his reputation as a coach and a defensive mind.
