Zach Arnett Wiki, Bio, Networth, GF, Wife, Family & More

Brief Introduction of Zach Arnett

Zachary Arnett is a well-regarded American football coach, known for his defensive expertise and his tenure as the head coach of the Mississippi State Bulldogs. Arnett’s career has been marked by a rapid ascent through the coaching ranks, beginning as a graduate assistant and quickly earning a reputation as one of the brightest defensive minds in college football. He is recognized for implementing an aggressive 3-3-5 defensive scheme. His journey in football began as a standout linebacker at the University of New Mexico, where he excelled both on the field and academically. Before taking the helm at Mississippi State, he honed his coaching skills at San Diego State University, progressively taking on more responsibility from a graduate assistant to the defensive coordinator. His time as a defensive coordinator at both San Diego State and Mississippi State was highlighted by nationally ranked defenses, earning him nominations for the prestigious Broyles Award, which is given to the nation’s top assistant coach.

Zach Arnett Overview

Early Life and Education of Zach Arnett

Zach Arnett was born on September 10, 1986, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He attended La Cueva High School in his hometown, where he was a distinguished two-sport athlete, excelling in both football and baseball. On the football field, he was a two-time all-state selection at linebacker, and on the baseball diamond, he was a three-time all-state catcher. His athletic prowess was evident as he contributed to La Cueva High School winning back-to-back state championships in 2003 and 2004. Initially, Arnett signed to play baseball at the University of New Mexico but ultimately accepted a football scholarship in the summer of 2005. He pursued a Bachelor of Arts in history with a minor in political science at the University of New Mexico, graduating in 2009. Arnett was a standout student-athlete, earning recognition as a four-time Academic All-Mountain West selection and a first-team Academic All-American in 2008.

Zach Arnett’s Career

Zach Arnett’s career in football began as a player at the University of New Mexico, where he was a linebacker from 2005 to 2008. During his collegiate playing career, he was a four-year letterman and served as a team captain. He recorded 200 tackles and, in his senior year, tied for the FBS lead with six forced fumbles. After graduating, Arnett transitioned to coaching, starting as a defensive graduate assistant at San Diego State University in 2011 under his former college coach, Rocky Long. He spent three years in that role before being promoted to linebackers coach in 2014. His success in that position led to another promotion in 2018, when he was named the defensive coordinator for the Aztecs. As the defensive coordinator at San Diego State, his defenses were consistently ranked among the best in the nation. In 2019, the Aztecs’ defense ranked second nationally in rushing defense and third in scoring defense.

In January 2020, Arnett was briefly named the defensive coordinator at Syracuse University but was hired away by Mississippi State University just 11 days later to serve as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach under head coach Mike Leach. At Mississippi State, he continued to build his reputation as a top defensive mind, implementing his signature 3-3-5 scheme and significantly improving the Bulldogs’ defense. He was a two-time nominee for the Broyles Award, given to the nation’s top assistant coach, in 2020 and 2021.

Following the unexpected passing of Mike Leach in December 2022, Arnett was named the interim head coach and led the Bulldogs to a victory in the ReliaQuest Bowl against Illinois. On December 15, 2022, he was officially named the 35th head football coach in Mississippi State history. His tenure as head coach was short-lived, as he was fired on November 13, 2023, after a 4-6 start to the season. In 2024, Arnett served as a defensive analyst for the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss). He was then hired as the defensive coordinator at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) in December 2024 but resigned for personal reasons in April 2025. He subsequently joined the staff at Florida State University as a senior defensive analyst in June 2025. Recent reports in late 2025 suggest that Mississippi State is targeting Arnett to return as the defensive coordinator.

Zach Arnett Personal Life & Family

Zach Arnett is a family man, married to his wife, Emily Arnett. The couple has three children: two sons, Case and Clayton, and a daughter, Collins. Emily is a graduate of San Diego State University, where she was a volleyball player and earned a degree in communications. She is also a certified personal trainer. The Arnett family has moved several times to support Zach’s coaching career, relocating from San Diego to Starkville, Mississippi, and then to other locations for his subsequent roles. Arnett is known to be a private person who values his family and is dedicated to his coaching career. He is a self-described “film junkie” and enjoys the strategic aspects of football.

Awards and Achievements of Zach Arnett

• Broyles Award Nominee (2020, 2021)
• AFCA 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute (2020)
• First-Team Academic All-American (2008)
• Four-time Academic All-Mountain West selection

Zach Arnett Net Worth and Income

Information regarding Zach Arnett’s current net worth is not publicly available. As the head coach of Mississippi State, he signed a four-year contract with an annual salary of $3 million, plus performance-based incentives. This contract made him the lowest-paid head coach in the Southeastern Conference at the time. Upon his dismissal from Mississippi State, the university agreed to pay him a buyout of $4.5 million, which was half of his remaining contract, to be paid over three years. His income in his subsequent roles as a defensive analyst and coordinator has not been publicly disclosed.

Legacy and Influence

Zach Arnett’s legacy in college football is primarily defined by his defensive acumen and his development of aggressive and effective defensive units. His 3-3-5 defensive scheme has been a hallmark of his coaching style and has consistently produced results, with his defenses ranking highly in various statistical categories. At San Diego State, he was instrumental in the team’s success, which included three Mountain West Conference championships and a bowl game appearance in each of his nine seasons with the program. His influence extends to the players he has coached, with several of his linebackers earning all-conference honors and some going on to play in the NFL. At Mississippi State, he quickly turned around the defense, which led to his nominations for the Broyles Award. Though his head coaching tenure was brief, he is remembered for providing stability and leadership to the program during a difficult time following the death of Mike Leach. His return to a prominent defensive coordinator role is a testament to the respect he commands in the coaching community.

Interesting Facts about Zach Arnett

• He was a two-sport star in high school, excelling in both football and baseball.
• He initially signed to play baseball at the University of New Mexico before switching to football.
• Arnett has never watched the popular television series “Breaking Bad,” despite it being set in his home state of New Mexico.
• Seven of his ten on-field assistant coaches at Mississippi State were bald or had shaved heads, a fact that Arnett himself noticed.

Controversies

There are no significant public controversies associated with Zach Arnett’s career.

Social Media Presence

• Instagram – Not publicly available
• Twitter – @CoachZachArnett
• YouTube – Not publicly available

Final Words about Zach Arnett

Zach Arnett’s career is a testament to his dedication to the defensive side of football. From his playing days at New Mexico to his coaching roles at San Diego State, Mississippi State, and beyond, he has consistently demonstrated a deep understanding of defensive strategy and a talent for developing players. While his time as a head coach was brief, he stepped into a challenging situation with grace and leadership. His reputation as one of the top defensive minds in the game remains firmly intact, as evidenced by his continued employment at high-level programs. As he continues his coaching journey, it is expected that he will continue to have a significant impact on the game, with many anticipating his return to a prominent defensive coordinator position. His career trajectory suggests that future opportunities as a head coach may arise, where he can apply the lessons learned from his past experiences.