Oct 28, 2023; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Zach Arnett shouts to his players against the Auburn Tigers during the first quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Mississippi State improved from two wins to five in coach Jeff Lebby's second season, but ahead of a pivotal Year 3, Lebby is making a staff change.

Defensive coordinator Coleman Hutzler won't return to the Bulldogs in 2026, and in his place, Lebby is hiring a familiar face. According to CBS Sports' John Talty, Mississippi State is bringing Zach Arnett back to Starkville.

A former defensive coordinator at Mississippi State under Mike Leach, Arnett was promoted to head coach following Leach's death in December 2022. The 39-year-old won a bowl game to cap off the 2022 season, but in his first full-time season as head coach, he was fired amid a 4-6 start.

Following his firing, Arnett spent the 2024 season as an analyst at Ole Miss and was set to join Dan Mullen's UNLV staff as defensive coordinator in 2025. However, after just a few months on the job, he ultimately stepped away in April. He ultimately joined FSU as an analyst.

Now, he's returning to Starkville. While it may be a bit of an awkward reunion, Arnett is regarded as a top defensive coordinator and produced top-five SEC defenses in all three of his seasons as the Bulldogs' defensive play-caller.

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This article originally appeared on College Sports Wire: Former Mississippi State coach Zach Arnett returning as DC

Reporting by Tyler Nettuno, College Sports Wire / College Sports Wire

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