STARKVILLE – Matt Brock, a three-year member of the Mississippi State coaching staff who has played an integral role in the success of the team’s defense, has been elevated to the Bulldogs’ defensive coordinator, head football coach Zach Arnett announced on Wednesday.
Brock, who was hired in 2020 as special teams coordinator and outside linebackers coach, coached the program’s entire linebacker corps in 2022 and most recently called the defensive plays during MSU’s 19-10 ReliaQuest Bowl victory over Illinois on Jan. 2.
“Matt Brock is a rising star in the coaching profession who has made a tremendous impact on our defense the last three seasons,” Arnett said. “I’m very confident in his ability to lead the unit, and I look forward to watching it continue to progress under his direction.”
Powered by Brock’s play calling, the Bulldog defense limited a potent Illinois rushing attack to just 22 yards on the ground, the only time the Ilini have been held under 100 yards rushing all season, and totaled 10 tackles for loss and recorded a school bowl-record seven sacks, which were also a season-high.
Linebackers Jett Johnson and Nathaniel Watson, who combined for 17 tackles and two sacks in the bowl game, were critical pieces of Mississippi State’s defense throughout the 2022 campaign, becoming the only pair of Power 5 teammates to finish 1-2 in their respective conference in tackles after totaling 114 and 113 tackles, respectively. The pair will return for the 2023 season.
Under Brock’s guidance in 2022, MSU rank fifth in the SEC in total defense (344.5), fifth in rushing defense (134.2) and second in turnovers gained (23).
“I’m grateful to be in this position and appreciative to Coach Arnett for this opportunity to lead our defense,” Brock said. “I’m thankful for our players and can’t wait to get back to work with them in this new role and build off their success the last three years.”
During the 2021 season, Tyrus Wheat led the way defensively with 7.5 sacks and 10.5 tackles-for-loss while also compiling 46 tackles. He was equally as effective under Brock in 2020, posting 30 tackles, 6.0 tackles-for-loss and 5.0 sacks.
The 2021 Bulldogs ranked third in total defense (352.3) and led the SEC in fewest first downs allowed (219), while ranking fifth in the league total defense (389.7), fifth in yards per play allowed…
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