Sources: Miss. St. to turn to DC Arnett as coach
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Pete ThamelESPN
Mississippi State has agreed to terms to promote defensive coordinator Zach Arnett to head coach, sources told ESPN on Wednesday. He will replace Mike Leach, who died Monday night.
Arnett agreed to a four-year deal that has yet to be signed but is expected to be formalized in the upcoming days, sources said.
The move was made quickly in the aftermath of Leach’s death as a way to stabilize the program and keep the on-field momentum going after Mississippi State finished 8-4 this season.
“The school wants to give the players a strong leader to help them through the grieving process and give them stability,” a source told ESPN. “Zach is the guy for that. Zach embodies MSU and understands it, and he’s going to build on the foundation that Coach Leach set.”
Arnett has spent three seasons as Mississippi State’s defensive coordinator, bringing a successful 3-3-5 scheme that has proven difficult to face in the SEC. The unit finished No. 39 nationally in total defense this year, an impressive number considering how offense-centric State’s program is running Leach’s famed Air Raid offense.
Arnett had immediate success his first two seasons in Starkville, as his aggressive defense finished in the top five in the SEC in total defense both years. He stayed loyal to Leach and Mississippi State when wealthier schools courted him in recent seasons, a loyalty that’s been reciprocated.
Arnett’s leadership through the tidal wave of emotions that have come from Leach’s hospitalization and death also have impressed. His message to the team has been consistent in upholding the standard that Leach set for the program.
State will play Illinois in the ReliaQuest Bowl on Jan. 2, which will mark Arnett’s head-coaching debut.
“He’s been a leader in our program,” a source said. “He’s a guy that players on both sides of the ball respect. He has stepped up and led this team through this adversity, making sure that we continue to finish this season the way we started, and the way coach Leach always expected.”
The continuity is expected to allow Mississippi State to keep together a strong core of players that shined on defense this year. The program’s two leading tacklers, Nathaniel Watson and Jett Johnson, have both said they will return to school. Watson was the SEC’s leading tackler (108).
Starting defensive linemen Jaden Crumedy, Jordan Davis and Nathan Pickering all also have stated publicly that they’ll return next year. That should give Arnett an experienced corps of talented returners and help them keep a strong defensive identity for next season.
Arnett also has proven a stout defensive recruiter, as Miami transfer Khamauri Rogers committed to MSU earlier Wednesday.
Arnett is a New Mexico graduate, where he originally committed to play baseball before earning a football scholarship and starring in its 3-3-5 defense. He coached under Rocky Long, the modern godfather of the 3-3-5 defense at San Diego State, starting as a graduate assistant there and working his way up to assistant coach and eventually defensive coordinator.
Beyond his schematic background, Arnett earned the State job because of his presence in the program. That leadership was especially needed this week.
“The way he addressed the team, he was unbelievable,” a source said, referencing the meeting to announce Leach was taken to the hospital. “The way he stepped up, it was like you were listening to the head coach talk to his team. He reminded everyone of all the things we’ve been through and what Coach Leach always demanded and expected. He shares those same expectations.”
Also Wednesday, Mississippi State announced that it will hold a public memorial service Tuesday honoring the life of Leach at Humphrey Coliseum.
CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs and free agent Colin Rea have agreed to a one-year, $5 million contract, reuniting the right-hander with manager Craig Counsell, a source told ESPN’s Jesse Rogers on Friday.
The 34-year-old Rea made one appearance with Milwaukee in 2021 and then pitched in Japan during the 2022 season before returning to the Brewers. He went 12-6 with a 4.29 ERA over 27 starts and five relief appearances for the NL Central champions last year.
Counsell managed Milwaukee for nine years before he was hired by Chicago in November 2023.
Rea gives Counsell and Chicago another versatile arm for their pitching staff. The Cubs have Justin Steele, Shota Imanaga, Jameson Taillon and Matthew Boyd for their rotation, but Rea could push Javier Assad for the fifth spot or work out of the bullpen.
Rea became a free agent when Milwaukee declined its $5.5 million club option on his contract in November. The Iowa native was paid a $1 million buyout.
Rea was selected by San Diego in the 12th round of the 2011 amateur draft out of Indiana State. He made his big league debut with the Padres in 2015.
He pitched for the Cubs during the 2020 season, going 1-1 with a 5.79 ERA in nine appearances, including two starts.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
NEW YORK — Major League Baseball has banned two fans who interfered with Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts during a World Series game at Yankee Stadium from attending games at big league ballparks.
The league sent a letter to Austin Capobianco and John P. Hansen this week informing them of the decision.
“On Oct. 29, 2024, during Game 4 of the World Series at Yankee Stadium, you interfered with play by intentionally and forcefully grabbing a player. Your conduct posed a serious risk to the health and safety of the player and went far over the line of acceptable fan behavior,” said the letter, the contents of which were first reported by the New York Post and later obtained by The Associated Press.
“Based on your conduct, Major League Baseball is banning you indefinitely from all MLB stadiums, offices, and other facilities,” the letter said. “You are also hereby banned indefinitely from attending any events sponsored by or associated with MLB. Please be advised that if you are discovered at any MLB property or event, you will be removed from the premises and subject to arrest for trespass.”
MLB has previously issued leaguewide bans for fans who trespass on the field or threaten baseball personnel. A fan who approached Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuna Jr. at Colorado’s Coors Field in 2023 received a similar ban.
Capobianco and Hansen were ejected from the game on Oct. 29 and banned from Game 5 the following night.
Betts leaped at the retaining wall in foul territory and caught Gleyber Torres‘ pop fly in the first inning, but a fan in the first row with a gray Yankees road jersey grabbed Betts’ glove with both hands and pulled the ball out. Another fan grabbed Betts’ bare hand.
The Yankees at the time called the behavior “egregious and unacceptable.”
The team said Friday the two fans MLB banned were not season-ticket holders. The Post reported Friday that the person who is the season ticket holder was not at the game and will be allowed to keep them.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
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