Arnett Out After Less Than One Season

Mississippi State Fires Head Football Coach Zach Arnett

Arnett Out After Less Than One Season

Program Looks For New Leadership

Mississippi State University has fired head football coach Zach Arnett after less than one season at the helm. The announcement was made on Monday, January 9, 2023, by athletic director Zac Selmon.

Arnett took over as head coach in December 2022, following the departure of Mike Leach. However, the Bulldogs struggled under his leadership, finishing the 2023 season with a record of 4-6, including 1-6 in the SEC.

In a statement, Selmon said that the decision to fire Arnett was made after a "thorough evaluation" of the program. He added that Mississippi State "must have strong, consistent leadership" in its football program, and that the university believes "a change is needed at this time."

Offensive analyst Greg Knox will serve as interim head coach while Mississippi State conducts a national search for Arnett's replacement.

The firing of Arnett is a major setback for Mississippi State, which has been struggling to regain its footing in recent years. The Bulldogs have not won an SEC championship since 1998, and have not played in a New Year's Six bowl game since 2014.

It remains to be seen who will be the next head coach at Mississippi State, but the university is hoping to find someone who can bring stability and success to the program.