At San Diego State
- Zach Arnett enters his second season as San Diego State’s defensive coordinator and will coach the linebackers for the sixth year in a row.
- Arnett was promoted to linebackers coach in the spring of 2014 after spending three years as a defensive graduate assistant.
- With Arnett on staff, the SDSU defense has ranked among the nation’s best in several categories over the last five seasons, including interceptions (1st, 87), rush defense (6th, 121.1), total defense (6th, 316.4), scoring defense (9th, 19.7), turnovers forced (t-10th, 98), interception returns for touchdowns (t-10th, 11) and pass defense (11th, 195.2).
- Last year, Arnett oversaw the emergence of Kyahva Tezino, a first-team all-Mountain West performer who led the Aztecs with 127 tackles, including a league-best 70 solo stops, which ranked 29th in the nation.
- In 2017, Ronley Lakalaka merited second-team all-MW honors after topping the squad with 82 tackles.
- Under Arnett’s tutelage in 2016, Calvin Munson paced the Aztecs with 116 tackles on the season and 17 quarterback hurries to go with 11 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and three pass breakups. Munson finished his career ranked sixth at SDSU in tackles (301) and ninth in sacks (18.0). He was a three-time all-Mountain West pick, including a first-team selection each of his last two campaigns. Munson signed as an undrafted free agent with the New?York Giants.
- For the second straight season in 2015, two Aztec linebackers garnered all-Mountain West accolades. Munson was named to the first team, while Jake Fely was a second-team honoree.
- Two San Diego State linebackers earned all-conference accolades in his first year as a full-time member of the coaching staff, as Munson and Josh Gavert earned honorable mention all-conference recognition in 2014.
- Helped linebacker Nick Tenhaeff earn All-MW honorable mention recognition in 2013. Tenhaeff led the Aztecs with 15.0 tackles for loss and 5.0 sacks and was third on the squad with 64 tackles combined, including 43 solo stops.
- Coached two Aztecs - Fely and Derek Largent - to all-league accolades in 2012. Fely had 90 tackles, and led the team in tackles for loss (11.5), sacks (7) and forced fumbles (2) en route to second-team honors, while Largent was an honorable mention pick with 61 tackles (9.5 TFL), 6.5 sacks, three fumble recoveries, two interceptions and a forced fumble.
Playing Experience
- Prior to his arrival on Montezuma Mesa, Arnett played collegiately for four seasons at New Mexico under current San Diego State head coach Rocky Long.
- Was a standout linebacker for the Lobos from 2005-08, lettering four times and serving as team captain during his senior campaign. n Saw action in 47 games at New Mexico, recording 200 tackles (84 solo, 116 assisted), with four sacks, six forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
- Tied for the FBS lead in 2008 with six forced fumbles. Of the five players that had six forced fumbles that season, Arnett played the fewest number of games (12).
- Started all 12 contests as a senior, recording 92 tackles, including 11 behind the line of scrimmage, and an MW record-tying six forced fumbles. Helped UNM rank 36th nationally in rushing defense in 2008.
- New Mexico won 25 games during his four-year stint and made consecutive bowl game appearances in 2006 and 2007.
- Excelled in the classroom, where he was a first-team Academic All-American in 2008. Also was a four-time academic all-conference honoree and scholar-athlete.
- Originally signed to play for the UNM baseball team coming out of high school, but was given a football scholarship the summer before the start of his true freshman season.
- Attended La Cueva High School in Albuquerque, competing in both football and baseball. Was a two-time all-state pick at linebacker and three-time selection at catcher.
Education
- Graduated from New Mexico in 2009, with his bachelor's degree in history and a minor in political science.
Personal
- Arnett and his wife, Emily, have one son, Case.