5 Candidates I Would Interview for Defensive Coordinator if Arnett Leaves

Mississippi State Football: 5 Candidates I Would Interview for Mississippi State's Defensive Coordinator if Zach Arnett Leaves rn Mississippi State Football endured a trying year on the gridiron in Mike Leach's first season. The offense struggled to find consistency but eventually found some, in Mr. Miygagi's voice, Balance. Yes, I have been watching Cobra Kai , and you should too. The season-long bright spot for Mississippi State has been the defense lead by Defensive Coordinator Zach Arnett .rnrnArnett was rumored to be in the mix for the defensive coordinator positions at Texas and South Carolina. LSU has now jumped into the fray after their top choice, Marcus Freeman, jilted them for Notre Dame.rnrnUpon hearing this news, I am sure most Bulldog fans were concerned, and of course, we do not want our prized defensive coordinator to leave. If Arnett decides to head to Texas, we will have no choice but to hire a replacement. Here are 5 candidates I would interview if Zach Arnett leaves Mississippi State.rnrnThis list does not take into account the scheme the coach runs. I look at his experience, where he has coached, and of course, how his teams performed. NO, Manny Diaz will not be on this list!rnrn[nextslide teaser="Former%20Two-Time%20Super%20Bowl%20Champ" /]rnrn rnrn Deshea Townsend is a name that all Bulldog fans know well. Townsend starred at Alabama and in the NFL for the Steelers and Colts. After retiring in 2010, Townsend landed his first coaching job as the assistant defensive backs coach with the Arizona Cardinals.rnrnHe next served as the defensive backs coach at Mississippi State from 2013-2015. While at Mississippi State, Townsend mentored former Bulldog greats Nickoe Whitley, Jamerson Love, and Taveze Calhoun.rnrnTownsend returned to the NFL with the Titans, Giants, and now with the Bears. Townsend brings instant name credibility as he has two super bowl rings to dangle to recruits. Townsend has never been a coordinator at any level, but the man knows football.rnrnIs Deshea Townsend ready to take the next step in his coaching career and coordinate a defense?rnrn[nextslide teaser="Current%20SEC%20Defensive%20Backs%20Coach%20and%20Ace%20Recruiter" /]rnrn rnrn Corey Raymond is one of the best defensive backs coaches in the nation. I expected LSU to promote him to defensive coordinator once Pellini was fired. He is one of the reasons LSU has the DBU moniker. He is a top-notch teacher and recruiter. He also has an NFL career to tout to recruits to entice them to play for him.rnrnRaymond played cornerback for the Giants and the Lions from 1992-1997. He started his coaching career at his former high school. Raymond has also never coordinated a defense, but he has served as recruiting coordinator and assistant head coach for the LSU staff during his career.rnrnIf LSU hires Arnett, I would love to see Raymond as the new defensive coordinator. Mississippi State has a history of great defensive backs also. Raymond would have two stud corners to build his secondary around.rnrn[nextslide teaser="College%20Defensive%20Coordinator%20in%20the%20Mountain%20West%20Conference" /]rnrn rnMississippi State hired its current defensive coordinator from San Diego State by way of stealing him from Syracuse. Kurt Mattix , the man that replaced Arnett, did not miss a beat with the Aztecs. The Aztecs were number one in yards allowed in the Mountain West Conference at 283.5 yards a game.rnrnThe Aztecs also were stingy to offenses, only allowing 17.8 points a game. Mattix worked his way up the coaching ladder. He has coached tight ends at Ball State and served as a defensive quality control coach at Michigan. He has been a coordinator at Saint Joseph's College and Eastern Kentucky.rnrnMattix is also the only candidate on this list with college Defensive coordinator experience. Mississippi State went to the well at San Diego State once. Why not go back?rnrn[nextslide teaser="Former%20Bulldog%20Linebacker%20Legend%20%231" /]rnrn rnrnHere is another name every older Bulldog fan will know. Dwayne Curry was a monster for the Bulldogs from 1993-1996. Just google him if you are a younger Bulldog fan and thank me later. I remember Curry being a terror for opposing offenses as a Bulldog Linebacker.rnrnCurry started his coaching journey at the high school level serving as Co-Defensive coordinator at South Side High (99-01 and Pensacola High (04-06). Curry has also coached at East Texas Baptist, Birmingham Southern, Hinds Community College, Savannah State Univerity, University of Arkansas Pine-Bluff, and Jackson State University.rnrnI know some fans will say he has never been a defensive coordinator at the college level and has not coached at the FBS level, but sometimes you can take a chance on a legend, and he may be he will surprise you. Mississippi State rarely brings back former players as position coaches or on staff. To my knowledge, no former Bulldog of recent memory has served as a coordinator at Mississippi State.rnrn[nextslide teaser="Former%20Bulldog%20Linebacker%20Legend%20%232" /]rnrn rnrnI gave away my next candidate mentioning former Mississippi State players' in staff positions. Jamar Chaney is another former Bulldog Linebacker that has found success as a college coach. Chaney is currently a Senior Defensive Analyst for the Bulldogs.rnrnChaney starred linebacker for Mississippi State from 2005-2009. Chaney was drafted by the Eagles in 2010 and finished up his career in 2014 with Oakland Raiders. Chaney next coached his alma mater at St. Lucie West Centennial High School.rnrnHe spent the 2019 season on Dan Mullen's staff before returning home to where he belongs at Mississippi State. I know Chaney would be a longshot to be hired compared to candidates who have more experience than him, but like with Curry, maybe it is time to take a chance and bring home former Bulldog great to be a coordinator at Mississippi State.rnrnChaney and Curry's advantage over any other candidate is they both bleed Maroon &amp; White.rnrn[nextslide teaser="Bonus-%20Former%20NFL%20Head%20Coach%2FCollege%20Head%20Coach" /]rnrn rnrnI said five, but this name would be an intriguing hire, and I have no idea if he would even be interested in being a College Defensive Coordinator. If Mississippi State could somehow convince Lovie Smith to become the next defensive coordinator at Mississippi State, it would bring instant added credibility to the program.rnrnI know Smith did not have a winning record while coaching at Illinois, but he did coach in a Super Bowl and had a winning record as an NFL Head Coach. I do expect Smith to head back to the NFL stomping grounds, but what if he enjoyed his college experience enough to want to stay at the college level.rnrnIf Smith is interested, you do not overlook him. Other possible candidates could be former Marshall Defensive Coordinator Brad Lambert , Former Mississippi State defensive line coach Brian Baker , and former Vanderbilt defensive coordinator Ted Roof .rnrn[apply_now site_url="maroonandwhitenation.com" /]

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Mississippi State Football: 5 Candidates I Would Interview for the Defensive Coordinator Job if Arnett Leaves

Mississippi State Football: 5 Candidates I Would Interview for Mississippi State’s Defensive Coordinator if Zach Arnett Leaves

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