Zach Arnett expected to make major changes to Mississippi State staff, per report
Zach Arnett’s Mississippi State staff will reportedly have some new faces, particularly on the offensive side of the ball.
John Brice of FootballScoop reports that 4 positions have already been identified for new hires. Inside receivers coach Drew Hollingshead, outside receivers coach Steve Spurrier Jr., running backs coach Jason Washington and defensive line coach Jeff Phelps are not expected to return to MSU for the 2023 season.
All 4 coaches had been at MSU since the start of Mike Leach’s tenure. Hollingshead, Spurrier and Phelps followed Leach to Starkville from Washington State. Washington, who proposed on the field after the Reliaquest Bowl victory, joined MSU in 2020 after 3 seasons at Texas.
Brice reports that additional unspecified coaches may not return for the Bulldogs’ 2023 campaign. As far as other staff changes, the FootballScoop report lists associate athletics director for football administration Brittany Thackery and associate athletics director for player personnel Matt Dudek as staffers not expected to be part of Arnett’s program moving forward.
There will be plenty of interest in Arnett’s staff hires, particularly in what direction Arnett takes for the post-Leach offense.
Not really a huge shock there. Let’s hope we go big for an offense coordinator. I still want Hatcher.
Also apparently Matt Brock called the defense today instead of Arnett, Arnett just signaled it. Very interesting given how well the defense played overall. I wonder if Brock will take over the DC role.
Apparently you’re the biggest D um bass on this site
If Arnett is comfortable with him then they should run it back for a year.
Who cares what you want Leach hater.
The offense needed something else today for sure. I’m ready to see what Chris Parson can do
Well, he’s going to sit a year since Will is coming back.
Wish them all well
I loved the passion from Cadillac Williams in The Auburn game – he’d be great in StarkVegas.
He’s an Auburn guy…I doubt he’d ever leave
Why in the heck would we take him? He’s very respected but that’s an usual fit of scheme and interest? We need a modernized air raid?
Rob, I am a 3 rd generation MSU grad. I lettered. My daughter is a 4 the generation MSU grad. Coozie is a Leach hating p o s.
Hey, I thought we were keeping our daughter a secret, babe.
I don’t think he’d really be a good fit tbh
No way! This offense has been recruited to throw. That would be a huge change in direction and guarantees a steep learning curve. No way Zach has that kind of leash to make it through at 2 year try out. The new AD is going to bring in his guy if Zach Arnett doesn’t win quickly. His best chance is to bring in someone that the offense will continue on with the personnel we have. (Will Rogers, Tulu G, Marks, etc…)
Billy the ultimate offensive coordinator/ fake head coach is available
Not sure if Sunbelt Billy will fit in in Vegasville Lake. Thanks for that Bowl win Dawgs during some tuff days !!! RIP M.L.
I’m not going to go too hard on the MSU offense performance in the Outback…er…Reliasomethingorother bowl. Illinois has one of the best defenses in the country. I know they play in a conference with some pretty weak offenses but the eye test says they are up there with some of the better SEC defenses. I loved the play-calling on the final drive.
So it sounds like these positions are opening up not because Zach wants to build his own coaching staff but more because those leaving were Leach guys.
* I loved the OFFENSIVE play calling BY SPURRIER on the final MSU drive.
I’m on your boat with you, LBM.
Agreed, the Illinois defense certainly lives up to the hype.
Excited to see what direction Arnett goes with his OC.
Why? What if it’s one of Leach’s disciples? Are you going to ‘not see eye to eye’ to him like our Coach? No one really cares what you think child.
Yeah that explains why the first thing you do everyday on this site is go straight to my profile and respond to everything I post lmao you’re my #1 fan, baby.
Of course this is expected. The new OC will have a hand in his staff, so they are all on the same page. Leach was in so much control the positional offensive coaches didn’t matter too much.
Yeah, I figured Phelps wouldn’t continue.