Thoughts on Arnett 2.0

[StarkVegasSteve]

I will say I was as surprised as anyone yesterday morning when I heard the news. And I think that goes for anyone that had any sort of connections or sources. NO ONE saw this one coming. Rosebowl can tell everyone that he knew about it, but I believe that about as much as I believe he has sources in the athletic dept anymore. Just a few things:

1. Arnett is an improvement over Hutzler, and a big one at that. I do not see how that is even debatable. His worst defense was ranked 62nd. He had Landon Guidry starting at safety, who would make Hunter Washington look like Ed Reed, and finished 54th.

2. You have to separate Arnett the HC from Arnett the DC. I think I have made my thoughts known on how I feel about him in that capacity. He sucked. He was in over his head, he took bad advice, he tried to overhaul an entire program in 3 months instead of gradually over time, and then he got pissy when we held him accountable for his actions. All they can be true and have nothing to do with Arnett the defensive coordinator. The guy is a good play caller and we will be aggressive on D, which is what Lebby wants.

3. I am not going to pretend to tell you that I had a clue how we did this under the cover of darkness like we did. And anyone who tries to tell you they knew this was coming is blowing smoke up your ass. Like I said earlier, Rosebowl is trying to tell people he knew and he was on his board shooting down the idea Friday afternoon. No one knew. Now do I know if Lebby went behind boosters backs to do this? I do not. That is a rumor out there. I have spoken with 6 or 7 people about this in the last 24 hours. NONE of them, including one national guy, had a clue this was even a remote possibility.

4. As far as a staff, I fully expect Matt Brock to be brought in. Outside of that, no clue. I do think McPhee ends up DL coach. That just continues to gain steam. And before anyone asks, NO. No decision has been made on Corey Bell one way or the other. If anyone tells you differently at this point, they are just speculating. It is true that he and Kelley Jonee are very close. But that does not mean we are just stock keeping him as a CB coach. We could move him to an analyst role for a season and continue to pay him and bring in a CB coach.

[KB21]

Regardless of whether I like the move or not, which I don't think it is a big secret that I absolutely hate it, the defensive staff needs to be filled with coaches who understand Arnett's defensive scheme. I don't see how you can keep any of the defensive coaches that are currently employed. I mean, Arnett hired David Turner in 2023 because some boosters wanted him on staff. However, the way Turner teaches DL to play is not the way Arnett wants his DL to play. There were issues there.

[Todd4State]

Good thoughts. I think it's an odd move honestly. Because we could have gotten someone similar to Arnett without the baggage.

And because it is who it is I think it puts a lot of pressure on Lebby especially if he just went out and did this on his own. Because if for some reason this doesn't work it's going to be a big black mark on Lebby's resume.

It's going to come down to players and whether Arnett can add those because our talent level on defense is not what it was from 2020-2023. And with the portal hopefully we can do that. Right now we have a lot of work to do so whoever is on staff better be able to recruit.

[was21]

Jett Johnson was also on Mora's staff at UCONN along with Brock. He was LB corch. Wonder if he may be considered.

[Coursesuper]

Jett Johnson was also on Mora's staff at UCONN along with Brock. He was LB corch. Wonder if he may be considered.

Very junior assistant coach there. Not listed as a “coach” per se just as assistant linebackers. Probably still more of a GA position there. If he is brought back it will be interesting to see in what capacity.

[BuckyIsAB****]

It means no one else would take it, and it also means that the problems that were there when we made him HC in 23 are still there now. And they still have enough pull to make a difference. This is a hire that a decent university admin steps in and says no. But we dont have one. It?s why everyone is dying for baseball to get here and why the east side is full of the opposite colored jersey.

[Todd4State]

It means no one else would take it, and it also means that the problems that were there when we made him HC in 23 are still there now. And they still have enough pull to make a difference. This is a hire that a decent university admin steps in and says no. But we dont have one. It?s why everyone is dying for baseball to get here and why the east side is full of the opposite colored jersey.

I am surprised that Keenum is allowing this.

But that said I have been told by a couple of people that Arnett has some strict guidelines in place to try to prevent things from happening again. But that is a concern and probably my biggest about bringing Arnett back.

[BuckyIsAB****]

I am surprised that Keenum is allowing this.

But that said I have been told by a couple of people that Arnett has some strict guidelines in place to try to prevent things from happening again. But that is a concern and probably my biggest about bringing Arnett back.

Keenum is the one that should be leaving with Lebby right behind him

[Brobi-wan]

Arnett either really loves MSU or he’s about to sabotage us from the inside. We will see

[Todd4State]

Arnett either really loves MSU or he’s about to sabotage us from the inside. We will see

Or Arnett couldn't find another job.

[ArrowDawg]

Or Arnett couldn't find another job.

Most likely.

[EdwardDrayton]

It's simple. We struck out on the ones we pursued and the fall back was Arnett. I mean what defensive analyst was gonna say no to being a DC again. It was the best of what we had left. It's not about it being Arnett, it's how we ended up with Arnett. Not a shining moment for those in charge.

[Brobi-wan]

Or Arnett couldn't find another job.

Wonder if the Magic Mike crew heard of his Wendy’s stunt. They might give him a go

[archdog]

Arnett either really loves MSU or he’s about to sabotage us from the inside. We will see

Yall are insane. Why wouldn?t Keenum allow this? ZA is a good DC. We need a good DC.

[Coach34]

Arnett either really loves MSU

Yes- still owns land here

[Todd4State]

Yall are insane. Why wouldn?t Keenum allow this? ZA is a good DC. We need a good DC.

Let's be real here for just a minute. This guy whether intentional or not did some things to our program that were harmful. And let's just give him the benefit of the doubt here because this doesn't need to turn into another pissing match and just assume it was all unintentional and maybe it was anyway. There are naturally concerns that go along with that.

The thing I keep hearing from people is Zach trusted people he shouldn't have. Now, I don't know who all of those people are and I don't really care. But the reality is when you bring someone back that opens the door for people who we don't need involved at MSU making decisions at a high level.

Now, that said I am confident that MSU is aware of that possibility and I have been told by more than one person that MSU has done things to try to prevent that from happening. And when I say that it's a concern it's a very, very, very small concern. But it still exists nonetheless.

It's like the Death Star had that small vent. It's likely nothing to worry about but if a bomb gets through it could blow up the whole thing like when Leach passed away.

MSU wouldn't have to worry about that at all with pretty much any other DC hire. And that's just the truth.

[Coach34]

Good thoughts. I think it's an odd move honestly.

Isnt Va Tech about to make the HC they just fired the DC?

[Todd4State]

Isnt Va Tech about to make the HC they just fired the DC?

Yeah. But when else have you heard of that happening at the college level? I can't think of another instance.

[Maroon Glasses]

I think everything is gonna be just fine guys. I think Arnett probably learned some very valuable, hard lessons on his path back here. I try and put myself in their shoes sometimes (the ones getting criticized) and think hard on it.

Arnett was a successful DC who probably had dreams of becoming a HC one day, like we all do within our own professions. His time just come too early, and he probably knew that but took the job anyway. He probably expected help along the way, but from the stories I've heard and read is he was just used by boosters to satisfy their own egos. Their own little puppet. And once you're in bed with all that it's hard to get out. We all know the story. He failed miserably and obviously the guy cares. He ended up going down a road of destruction he probably never intended on going down. Mental issues, alcohol, and whatever else. Now he is back where it all started, back in the position he knows and thrives in.

I think the guy is going to kill it. He seems to love Starkville and he has been welcomed back. The guy knows he screwed up but he has a second chance to redeem his story. Maybe this was the hardship in life he needed. He could be more determined, motivated, and intense. This might be what he needed to take him from mid sec defenses to top sec defenses. Maybe Im just a softy or too optimistic- but I'm pulling hard for him. And I believe he is gonna kill it. Lebby knows it too.

[Brobi-wan]

I think everything is gonna be just fine guys. I think Arnett probably learned some very valuable, hard lessons on his path back here. I try and put myself in their shoes sometimes (the ones getting criticized) and think hard on it.

Arnett was a successful DC who probably had dreams of becoming a HC one day, like we all do within our own professions. His time just come too early, and he probably knew that but took the job anyway. He probably expected help along the way, but from the stories I've heard and read is he was just used by boosters to satisfy their own egos. Their own little puppet. And once you're in bed with all that it's hard to get out. We all know the story. He failed miserably and obviously the guy cares. He ended up going down a road of destruction he probably never intended on going down. Mental issues, alcohol, and whatever else. Now he is back where it all started, back in the position he knows and thrives in.

I think the guy is going to kill it. He seems to love Starkville and he has been welcomed back. The guy knows he screwed up but he has a second chance to redeem his story. Maybe this was the hardship in life he needed. He could be more determined, motivated, and intense. This might be what he needed to take him from mid sec defenses to top sec defenses. Maybe Im just a softy or too optimistic- but I'm pulling hard for him. And I believe he is gonna kill it. Lebby knows it too.

The fan reaction appears to be mostly positive. That’s a nice change if you pay attention to our social media engagement.