Mississippi State fires Zach Arnett
Mississippi State dismissed head coach Zach Arnett, the school announced Monday.
The Bulldogs posted a 4-6 record under Arnett during the 2023 season. The 37-year-old was relieved of duty following the team's 51-10 loss to Texas A&M on Saturday.
The buyout for Arnett is close to $4 million, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel.
"As part of my thorough and continued evaluation, I have determined that a change in leadership is necessary to move our football program forward and position it for the highest level of success," school athletic director Zac Selmon said in a statement.
Offensive analyst Greg Knox will serve as the interim coach. Knox previously served as the interim coach during the 2017 Gator Bowl.
"I have the utmost respect for Zach Arnett and am incredibly appreciative of the effort he put forth in leading our football program. However, the progress and on-field results have not been of the standard required for Mississippi State to achieve the level of success we need and expect," Selmon said.
Arnett became the Bulldogs' 35th head coach after being hired in December 2022 following the death of Mike Leach. He led Mississippi State to a win over Illinois in the ReliaQuest Bowl in January 2023. The New Mexico native began his tenure with the program as a defensive coordinator and linebackers coach in 2020.
Arnett's firing marks the second head coaching change in the SEC after Texas A&M parted with head coach Jimbo Fisher.