Report: Zach Arnett not expected to become next LSU defensive coordinator

It looks like Mississippi State’s Zach Arnett won’t be headed to Baton Rouge.

LSU football has been on the hunt to find its next defensive coordinator since parting ways with Bo Pelini after up-and-down defensive showings and a dismal 5-5 finish to the 2020 college football season.

But it looks like Mississippi State defensive coordinator Zach Arnett won’t be the Tigers’ guy, according to Geaux247.

Arnett interviewed in Baton Rouge, but an offer from LSU’s side was not extended, per the report.

The Bulldogs finished with the fifth-best defense in the Southeastern Conference with Arnett at the helm, giving up 389.7 yards and 28.09 points per game in 2020 in comparison to the 399.3 yards per game last year.

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Under Pelini last year, the Tigers defense allowed 492 yards per game and an average of 34.9 points per game in the SEC-only schedule.

LSU coach Ed Orgeron maintained optimism that the Tigers will get the people they need in the right places.

“Looking good, we have a lot of great candidates, it’s about getting the right fit,” Orgeron said in an Off the Bench appearance. “Hopefully we can get it within the next week but we’re gonna take our time and get the right people in here. I think eventually all the pieces will fit together.”

It will be interesting to see where LSU goes next in its search to fill the void at this position, after taking care of the offensive coordinator spot with Carolina Panthers quarterbacks coach Jake Peetz and adding passing game coordinator DJ Mangas.

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