Dan Mullen is looking for a former SEC coach outside of his own coaching staff to join his new team, according to a report. According to FootballScoop, Mullen wants to hire Zach Arnett as UNLV’s new defensive coordinator.

Mullen and Arnett are both former Mississippi State head coaches but have not worked together before. Mullen took over as MSU’s head coach before the 2009 season and remained in Starkville through the 2017 season before heading to Florida. Arnett served as Mississippi State’s head coach for the 2022 bowl game and 2023 season, succeeding Mike Leach after the legendary head coach’s unexpected passing in 2022.

Arnett struggled as a head coach, leading MSU to a 4-6 record before being fired during the 2023 season. He then switched sides in the Egg Bowl rivalry, serving as an Ole Miss analyst on Lane Kiffin’s staff last season.

Arnett, the Bulldogs’ defensive coordinator for all three seasons under Leach, has an impressive resume as an assistant. In each of his first two seasons at MSU, he was nominated for the Broyles Award, which goes to the best assistant coach in the country. Arnett’s 2022 Bulldog defense ranked fifth in the SEC in total defense (350.3), fifth in rushing defense (143.6), fifth in pass defense (206.8) and second in turnovers achieved (22).

FootballScoop’s report follows earlier news that Arnett has accepted the App State defensive coordinator position. According to FootballScoop, UNLV made an offer that App State can’t match.

Andrew writes about sports to support his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly supports the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.