Is Shane Beamer Trying to Poach a Mississippi State Coach?

The SEC is competitive. If you’ve got a good up-and-coming coach, other teams are going to want to him. That is apparently the case with Mississippi State defensive coordinator Zach Arnett.

According to Mike Uva with WACH FOX in Columbia, South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer has traveled to Starkville to meet with Arnett. From there, things are unclear, but there is obvious interest there.

Update: I can confirm that Shane Beamer is in Starkville, MS according to team sources. @GamecockCentral was the first to report it. What I can add is that it is to see Miss. State DC Zach Arnett. At this time, I can’t confirm if it’s a meeting or to hire him. @wachfox https://t.co/08HFgJv9uY

— Mike Uva (@Mike_Uva) January 6, 2021

If the Gamecocks can score the 34-year-old, first-year SEC defensive coordinator, he would make a really nice addition to the staff. Prior to joining Mike Leach and the Bulldogs, Arnett spent two seasons as the defensive play-caller for San Diego State.

The Aztecs ranked No. 21 in total defense (334.6 yards allowed per game) in 2018, Arnett’s first season. The following year, they climbed all the way to No. 5 (287.8 yards).

Injuries and opt-outs hurt the Mississippi State defense late this season, but the unit was one of the SEC’s best early on. In other words, Arnett’s success has translated to the Power Five, which is why getting him to Columbia would be a nice win for Beamer.

Let’s see where things go from here.

Follow Clint Lamb on Twitter @ClintRLamb.