Mississippi State Coach Zach Arnett Talks First Day Of 2023 Fall Camp

Mississippi State head coach Zach Arnett met with the media following the first day of 2023 fall camp.

Mississippi State head coach Zach Arnett led a fiery first practice for the kickoff of 2023 fall camp prior to the start of the new season, lasting around two hours long at the Leo Seal Jr. Football Complex in Starkville.

Following practice, the media met with Arnett on Friday, where he was asked a common question: "What things excite you?"

In his response, made two things clear. 

One: it's still very early, and two: there's a lot of work to do between now and September 2, when the Bulldogs begin their season at home vs Southeastern Louisiana.

"Nothing excites me about anything we do – offense, defense or special teams – nothing excites me until we start seeing guys playing actual football," Arnett said. "That's not trying to sound like some tough, coach speak. It's just the truth. This is not football yet. When we get pads on and we get into it, then we've got to find out who the football players are. This is the acclimatization period. We're getting the players actually ready for football. That's the spirit of these first six days."

Despite his words, Arnett still enjoyed himself throughout the day during the Bulldogs' first practice of the preseason.

"It was good to be out there coaching football again," Arnett said.

Lots of passion and urgency fueled the team during Friday's practice, with plenty of fire from Arnett and his coaching staff. Expectations for the team are already being set and the team is less than a month away from the season opener, but the coaches know that there is little time to waste.

"The season is right around the corner, and we've got a long way to go," Arnett said. "We all need to get better. On both sides of the ball, every unit, everyone needs to improve. We are not even close to ready to play a football game right now."

In his first full season as the Bulldogs' head coach, things are changing in Starkville and the team is building something. For the next two weeks, before the start of classes, the only focus for Arnett and his Bulldog squad is improving.

"Once school starts, you're limited to 20 hours a week and a max of four hours a day," Arnett said. "It's a good thing in training camp, you're on unlimited time. We need every second of it."