Mike Leach hospitalized for ‘personal health issue’: What to know as Mississippi State names Zach Arnett interim coach

Mississippi State coach Mike Leach was hospitalized Sunday with what the varsity known as a “private well being concern” at his dwelling.

The college’s announcement didn’t specify why Leach was hospitalized, saying solely the choice was made to switch him to the College of Mississippi Medical Heart in Jackson, Miss., through ambulance.

“That’s the extent of data that MSU has accessible concerning Coach Leach’s situation,” the assertion learn, “and the college will make no different remark presently aside from to say that the ideas and prayers of the college are with Mike and Sharon and their household.”

The college additionally named Bulldogs defensive coordinator Zach Arnett because the crew’s interim coach “till Coach Leach returns” amid bowl preparation. The Twenty second-ranked Bulldogs will play Illinois within the ReliaQuest Bowl on Monday, Jan. 2.

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It is unsure how lengthy Leach can be out, or if he can be accessible for Mississippi State’s bowl sport. The actual fact the Bulldogs have named an interim coach suggests it would considerably impression the crew’s practices main as much as the bowl sport.

Leach, 61, is in his third season at Mississippi State. He’s 19-17 in that point, together with an 8-4 file in 2022. His crew has improved its file year-over-year in every season below Leach, going from 4-7 in 2020 to 7-6 in 2021 and 8-4 — probably 9-4 — in 2022.

The crew is 1-1 in bowl video games below Leach. It stays to be seen whether or not he or Arnett will coach the Bulldogs in January.

Who’s Zach Arnett?

Arnett is in his third season at Mississippi State, every as a defensive coordinator and linebackers coach.

Previous to his keep in Starkville, Miss., he served as a graduate assistant at San Diego State from 2011 by way of 2013. Following that, he served as linebackers coach for the Aztecs from 2014 by way of 2017 earlier than including defensive coordinator tasks for the 2018 and ’19 seasons.