Mississippi State reportedly settles on permanent head coach after Mike Leach's death

Mississippi State is dealing with the unimaginable tragedy of losing coach Mike Leach at age 61 after complications from a heart condition.

The players are planning to play in the ReliaQuest Bowl game against Illinois to honor their late coach. Interim coach/DC Zach Arnett will lead the Bulldogs in that game.

Then, after the bowl game, Arnett is expected to shed the “interim” tag. Per reports on Wednesday afternoon, Mississippi State is expected to make Arnett the permanent head coach:

Mississippi State is expected to promote interim coach Zach Arnett to permanent head coach, sources tell @SINow.

— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) December 14, 2022

ESPN’s Pete Thamel said the move was made for program stability, adding that a source said Arnett understands what is being built in Starkville:

“The school wants to give the players a strong leader to help them through the grieving process and give them stability,” a source said. “Zach is the guy for that. Zach embodies MSU and understands it, and he’s going to build on the foundation that Coach Leach set.”

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) December 14, 2022

Thamel adds that the contract is expected to be for 4 years, but it hasn’t been signed yet:

Sources: Mississippi State and defensive coordinator Zach Arnett have agreed to terms to make him the school’s next head football coach. He’s expected to receive a four-year contract, which has not been signed yet.

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) December 14, 2022

Arnett has been Mississippi State’s defensive coordinator since Leach took over the program in 2020. He has been working on the recruiting trails in recent days to keep the Bulldogs’ 2023 recruiting class intact.