Zach Arnett has decided on the coach to replace him as Mississippi State’s defensive coordinator, as the new coach continues to build his staff.

Arnett, who was State’s DC under Mike Leach, is promoting linebackers coach Matt Brock to defensive coordinator, Ross Dellenger of Sports Illustrated reported. Brock called the defensive plays in State’s bowl win, and was Arnett’s right-hand man the last 3 seasons, along with being a strong recruiter.

Brock just finished his third season at Mississippi State. He was hired as MSU’s special teams coordinator and outside linebackers coach on February 4, 2020. Prior to MSU, he spent 2 seasons at Washington State as the special teams coordinator while also coaching the outside linebackers, according to his MSU bio.

Brock arrived in Pullman after 2 seasons (2016-17) at Bowling Green, where he served as special teams coordinator and worked with linebackers.

Brock previously spent 3 seasons (2013-15) at Texas Tech as a defensive quality control assistant. He also coached the defensive line in the Texas Bowl against LSU in 2015.

Brock was the defensive quality control coach in his first season at Tech in 2013, before being promoted to inside linebackers coach early in the 2014 season. He served in that capacity through the remainder of that season.