Mississippi State made a significant coaching move on Monday, announcing the dismissal of head football coach Zach Arnett after just one season at the helm. Arnett, who previously served as the Bulldogs’ defensive coordinator for three seasons, took over as head coach last December following the sudden passing of Mike Leach. The decision comes amid a challenging season for Mississippi State, with a recent 51-10 loss to Texas A&M contributing to a 4-6 overall record, including a 1-6 mark in the SEC.
The university’s athletic director, Zac Selmon, expressed the need for a change in leadership to propel the football program forward and achieve the desired level of success. While acknowledging Arnett’s efforts, Selmon emphasized that on-field results and progress had fallen short of expectations.
Offensive struggles have plagued the Bulldogs, scoring more than 17 points only once in seven SEC games and a total of 33 points in their last four matchups. Arnett departed from Leach’s Air Raid offense, introducing a pro-style system under new offensive coordinator Kevin Barbay. The team also faced setbacks due to an injury to veteran quarterback Will Rogers in the latter part of the season.
Mississippi State president Mark Keenum expressed confidence in Selmon’s ability to swiftly identify a new leader for the football program. Greg Knox, previously an interim coach at both Mississippi State and Florida, will assume the interim coaching role for the remainder of the season.
Despite the challenging circumstances Arnett faced, including taking over in the aftermath of Leach’s passing, the university expressed gratitude for his hard work and dedication. Arnett’s buyout, while notable at nearly $4 million, is subject to mitigation if he secures another coaching position. As one of the country’s respected defensive coordinators, Arnett is expected to be on the radar for various schools seeking defensive coaching talent during the upcoming offseason.