Lane Kiffin spurs major reaction with hiring of ex-Mississippi State head coach Zach Arnett
Lane Kiffin is adding to his Ole Miss coaching staff, and he reached across the Egg Bowl rivalry lines for the hiring.
According to Zach Berry with On3 Sports, Ole Miss has hired former Mississippi State head coach Zach Arnett as an analyst. Kiffin has since confirmed the move and explained Arnett as a good fit and a lesson he learned from Nick Saban related to the move.
Coach Kiffin on Zach Arnett joining the staff: “I’ve had a lot of respect for Zach and thought they did a great a job over there at Starkville and caused people problems. It had been in discussions… I learned from Coach Saban…it’s a two-way street. You give people…
— The Rebel Walk (@TheRebelWalk) March 6, 2024
Arnett most recently served as the head coach at Mississippi State with a 5-6 overall record before getting fired before the end of the 2023 season. He assumed the head coaching role with the Bulldogs following the tragic death of Mike Leach and led Mississippi State to an emotional win in the 2022 ReliaQuest Bowl.
Before assuming the head coaching role at MSU, Arnett served as Leach’s defensive coordinator from 2020-22. He also served at San Diego State earlier in his career.
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Reaction to the move
Any time there is a rivalry move, it is noteworthy. The fact that Kiffin is involved only adds to the intrigue, considering Arnett’s strong track record as a DC and position coach.
The reaction to the Wednesday reports flooded social media with multiple people pointing out that adding Arnett as an analyst is a big win for Ole Miss. Here are some of the best:
I gotta imagine Zach Arnett had plenty of opportunities come his way after Mississippi State.
For Lane Kiffin to get him to take an analyst job at Ole Miss is why this sport is still the best.
— Connor O’Gara (@cjogara) March 6, 2024
So in the last 12 months Lane Kiffin had added Pete Golding, B Brown and Z Arnett as an analyst.
Pete Golding is known for his defensive lines
Zach Arnett is known for being a LB Whisperer
B Brown is know for his secondary being ball hawksGood Luck everyone!
— Steven Willis (@TheStevenWillis) March 6, 2024
Former Mississippi State head coach Zach Arnett is headed to coach under Lane Kiffin at Ole Miss, per the report below.
I did not have this on my Egg Bowl bingo card. https://t.co/05WDdF1JYP
— Brad Logan (@BradLoganCOTE) March 6, 2024
Just to make sure I understand this correctly:
Zach Arnett will be coaching at Ole Miss along with one of the best staffs in the country while getting paid from Mississippi State.
This is too good.
— Everything Ole Miss (@EverythingRebs) March 6, 2024
Ole Miss is hiring former Mississippi State coach Zach Arnett as a defensive analyst, a team spokesman tells ESPN. Arnett spent one season at Mississippi State after working as the team’s defensive coordinator.
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) March 6, 2024
Pete Golding and Zach Arnett. Two incredible defensive minds. The defense is in good hands. pic.twitter.com/DDERps5hiZ
— Scottie Simpin (@SadOleMissSimp) March 6, 2024
Ole Miss has not only has one of the best defensive coaching staffs in the SEC, they now have one of the top staffs in the country.
The addition of Zach Arnett, who has proven to be a very good defensive mind only adds to the depth of the group led by Pete Golding. #OleMiss
— Brad Logan (@BradLoganCOTE) March 6, 2024
Are we sure Zach Arnett wasn’t already working for Ole Miss this past season?
Would explain a lot
— Hail State Stool (@HailStateStool) March 6, 2024
So uh, Pete Golding, B Brown, and Zach Arnett all on one staff? pic.twitter.com/lY3RutqTGs
— Hunter Kinniburgh (@HuntKinniburgh) March 6, 2024
On a completely serious note, that is an insanely good hire. Not a lot of DC’s are better than Zach Arnett, much less analysts.
— cade smith (@cadesmith_3) March 6, 2024