STARKVILLE – Zach Arnett began taking questions from reporters only moments after Mississippi State kicked off its season with a 48-7 triumph on Saturday.
It was a special win for a number of reasons, not the least of which was it was a victorious day in Arnett’s first-ever game as a head coach at Davis Wade Stadium.
It was Arnett’s first time to walk through The Junction for the Dawg Walk as MSU’s leader. It was the first time since being in the big chair he’d got to embrace his guys postgame at home while the Famous Maroon Band played the alma mater.
And exactly what did Arnett have to share about the whole experience following surely one of the biggest days of his life?
“I’d rather talk about my players,” Arnett quickly said. “They’re the ones that went out there and did everything.”
If you haven’t noticed by now, there’s not any part of Arnett seeking glory. His Saturday postgame words were just the latest example of that. Arnett is just fine being in the background. He actually seemingly prefers it that way.
That aforementioned Dawg Walk? Arnett was at the back of the line. Those who slapped his hand on the way into the stadium saw every Bulldog player come by first.
Now, don’t misunderstand. Arnett is far from timid. In fact, he can be as fiery and direct as they come. But from the moment he was named State’s head coach last December, he’s proclaimed that in this MSU program – his program – players will get the glory.
“It’s all about players,” Arnett said. “Players prepare. Players go out and get ready to play. Players make plays.”
Arnett has a point. The boys in Maroon and White doing big things on Saturday were donning helmets, not headsets.
When true freshman receiver Creed Whittemore scored the first two touchdowns of his career, he wasn’t wearing khakis. When senior running back Jo’Quavious Marks rushed for a career-high 127 yards and crossed the goal line twice himself, he had on pads, not a polo.
Time after time on Saturday, the Bulldogs in action proved their coach’s point. Mike Wright’s electrifying 53-yard run, John Lewis’ punt block and Avery Sledge’s recovery for a touchdown, plus the continued defensive dominance of linebackers Nathaniel Watson and Jett Johnson all illustrated how a program is only as strong as the performance of its players.
Arnett isn’t going to let anyone forget it, either, even totally downplaying his own significance to the whole operation.
“Coaches, we can make some good calls, but we make plenty of bad calls,” Arnett said. “The vast majority as coaches typically have a more negative effect if they are going to have an effect on the game. It’s players.”
Bulldog athletes say Arnett lives out his mantra every single day. He’s for them. Nothing is above him. Arnett’s sole purpose is elevating his guys, whatever it takes.
“I was just talking to the other guys at practice, at our walkthrough on Friday, and I was like, ‘What other head coach is more active than him?'” defensive lineman Nathan Pickering shared. “At practice, he’s playing quarterback. He’s playing running back. Receiver. He’s so active at practice. That helps us a lot, too. That pushes us.
“It feels great to know we have a head coach with that gritty mindset and sets that standard that we have to live up to.”
Adds quarterback Will Rogers: “It’s really special to know how much [Arnett] cares about us…You can really tell he cares a lot about his players. He’s clear about it.”
And there Arnett was Saturday after the game being clear about it once more. He justifiably could’ve soaked in what had to have been a really cool day for himself, but nah. That’s just not Arnett’s style.
Under his watch, the guys in uniform will always take priority.
“This is a players-first program,” Arnett said. “That’s why season tickets are sold out here. It’s why everyone wants to come and create a great environment. We’ve got a lot of really good players – guys who could’ve went anywhere they wanted to in the transfer portal when [last season] ended. But they bleed Maroon and White, and they want to be right here and play in front of this crowd. So, I’m glad they got to go out there and get celebrated and execute and start the season off with a victory.”
Source : Hail State