Mississippi State parting ways with Zach Arnett after less than one full season

Zach Arnett, who was hired less than a year ago in the wake of former head coach Mike Leach’s passing, has been let go at Mississippi State. Arnett coached the Bulldogs to a victory in the ReliaQuest Bowl last year and was 4-6 so far this season, but only 1-6 in SEC play. He had been the program’s DC for three seasons prior to getting the promotion.

“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,” AD Zac Selmon said in a statement. “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.”

“Zach took on an unprecedented and challenging situation last December,” Selmon continued. “He provided the football program much needed leadership and stability during a tragic time. There is no question that he has made a positive impact on the lives of our student-athletes during his time here. We are grateful for his contributions to Mississippi State and wish him the very best both personally and professionally.”

The Bulldogs have two games left, first hosting Southern Miss this weekend and then closing with #14 Ole Miss. If they don’t win both of those games, they will miss out on bowl eligibility for the first time since 2009.

Offensive analyst Greg Knox has been named interim head coach. Knox re-joined the program this season after previously having worked with the Bulldogs from 2009-17. This will be his second stint as the Bulldogs’ head coach, having previously led the team to victory in the 2017 TaxSlayer Bowl after Dan Mullen left to take the Florida job. Knox eventually followed Mullen to Gainesville and later coached the Gators for their final two games of the 2021 season after Mullen’s dismissal.

credit to Mississippi State Athletics for the image