Mississippi State is promoting defensive coordinator Zach Arnett, a La Cueva and University of New Mexico alumnus, to head coach to replace Mike Leach, who died suddenly of a heart condition earlier this week.
Mississippi State was working to finalize a four-year contract with the 36-year-old Arnett, a person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press on Wednesday on condition of anonymity because a deal had not yet been completed. ESPN first reported the move.
Leach, 61, died Monday night at a Jackson, Mississippi, hospital after falling gravely ill on Sunday at his home.
Arnett was put in charge of the team by Mississippi State officials in Leach’s absence.