Mike Leach has been taken to a hospital in Jackson, Mississippi following what Mississippi State is calling a “personal health issue.” MSU has announced that Bulldog defensive coordinator Zach Arnett is currently overseeing the football team in Leach’s absence.

Mississippi State released the following statement Sunday:

Mississippi State University Head Football Coach Mike Leach had a personal health issue at his home earlier today (Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022). That issue led to a decision to transfer Coach Leach to the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson by ambulance. That is the extent of information that MSU has available regarding Coach Leach’s condition, and the university will make no other comment at this time other than to say that the thoughts and prayers of the university are with Mike and Sharon and their family.

MSU President Mark E. Keenum and Interim MSU Athletics Director Bracky Brett have conferred, and the decision has been made to place MSU Defensive Coordinator Zach Arnett in charge of the MSU football team until Coach Leach returns. Practice for the ReliaQuest Bowl game and recruiting operations will continue.

MSU will issue additional information via social media when it becomes available.

Leach, 61, is in his third season as Mississippi State’s head coach. The Bulldogs ended the 2022 regular season with an Egg Bowl win over rival Ole Miss 24-22 on Nov. 24. MSU is set to face Illinois in the ReliaQuest Bowl (formerly the Outback Bowl) in Tampa on Jan. 2.