Mississippi State Football Fires Coach Zach Arnett

Senior offensive analyst Greg Knox will serve as the Mississippi State Bulldogs’ interim coach for the rest of the season

Mississippi State has fired coach Zach Arnett, the school announced Monday morning. The news was first reported by John Brice of footballscoop.com. 

Senior offensive analyst Greg Knox will serve as the school’s interim coach for the rest of the season. The Bulldogs dropped to 4–6 with a 51–10 loss at Texas A&M on Saturday.

“I have the utmost respect for and am incredibly appreciative of the effort [Arnett] put forth in leading our football program,” Mississippi State athletic director Zac Selmon said in a release. “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.”

Mississippi State football coach Zach Arnett paces the sideline during a game against the against Auburn at Jordan-Hare Stadium on Oct. 28.  :: John David Mercer/USA TODAY Sports

Arnett took over the program in December 2022 when Mike Leach was hospitalized, and he eventually was named the team’s new coach after Leach’s death from heart-related complications. 

The school’s contract buyout of Arnett is roughly $4 million, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel.