Former Defensive Coordinator Dismissed After Poor Season And Tragedy

Mississippi State Fires Head Football Coach Zach Arnett After One Season

Former Defensive Coordinator Dismissed After Poor Season and Tragedy

Arnett Took Over Program Following Death of Mike Leach

Mississippi State University has fired head football coach Zach Arnett after just one season. The move comes after a disappointing 6-7 season that included a loss in the ReliaQuest Bowl.

Arnett, 36, was hired last December to replace Mike Leach, who died in December 2022 from complications of a heart condition. Arnett had previously served as Mississippi State's defensive coordinator for four seasons.

Mississippi State's firing of Arnett comes as a surprise, as he was widely expected to be given more time to turn the program around. The Bulldogs had a promising start to the season, winning their first four games. However, they lost their final eight games of the regular season, including a lopsided loss to Alabama in the SEC Championship Game.

Mississippi State's search for a new head coach is expected to begin immediately.