Zach Arnett Fired as Mississippi State Head Football Coach

Analyst Greg Knox will serve as interim head coach for the final two games of the 2023 season.

Mississippi State athletic director Zac Selmon announced Monday morning that Zach Arnett has been "relieved of his duties" as head football coach effective immediately.

Analyst Greg Knox will serve as interim head coach for the remainder of the 2023 season. He  previously served as the Bulldogs' interim head coach during the 2017 TaxSlayer Bowl, where he led the team to a 31-27 win over Louisville. 

"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," Selmon said in a release. "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. 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.

"Starkville is a special place with incredible people. Our football program is an NFL factory in a recruiting footprint that is second to none and has previously shown it can compete at the highest level in the SEC. With Mississippi State's history, tradition, devoted fan base and facilities, while competing in the nation's best conference, I firmly believe we will attract someone who will bring a winning culture on-and-off the field and lead our program to new heights in today's era of college football."

Arnett was promoted from defensive coordinator to head coach on Dec. 15 last year, after head coach Mike Leach died, and before Selmon was hired to replace John Cohen as director of athletics. It was roughly a week before the early signing period, and the team was already preparing to face Illinois in the Reliaquest Bowl,

After the Bulldogs won 19-14, to finish 9-4 overall, Arnett signed a four-year contract paying $3 million annually — the lowest in the SEC at the time — plus performance bonuses. It also included a buyout favorable to the school, paying just 50 percent of the remaining amount. 

Mississippi State University President Mark E. Keenum said Selmon will move effectively in the search process, which will be national in scope. 

"When Zac Selmon was hired after Coach Leach's passing, one of the attributes he reflected was the ability to effectively identify and recruit talent," Keenum said. "I have every confidence that Zac will move quickly to identify a new leader for our football program who will energize our team, our students and our loyal and enthusiastic fan base.

"I want to sincerely thank Zach Arnett for his hard work and service to the university and our football program. I will be forever grateful to Zach for how he stepped up after the untimely death of head coach Mike Leach. We asked him in those difficult hours to lead our team, protect our Top 25 recruiting class, and take us to a ReliaQuest Bowl victory over Illinois. Zach accomplished those things, and our fans should respect and appreciate him for that tremendous service to MSU. All of us at Mississippi State wish Zach and his wonderful family the very best. I know that he will go on to enjoy an outstanding career in coaching."

The Bulldogs had a 5-6 record during Arnett's tenure including a 4-6 record this season, 1-6 in SEC play. Heading into its final two games against Southern Miss and Ole Miss, it's riding a three-game losing streak including Saturday's 51-10 loss to at Texas A&M. Despite the outcome, Aggies head coach Jimbo Fisher was fired on Sunday. He's owed more than $75 million in a record college football buyout.

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