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Chris Low, ESPN Senior Writer
Mississippi State made headlines on Monday by terminating head football coach Zach Arnett after just one season. This announcement came as a surprise given that Arnett had only recently been promoted from defensive coordinator to head coach last December after the sudden passing of Mike Leach. Arnett’s hiring also coincided with the school’s search for a new athletic director following the departure of John Cohen.
The decision to fire Arnett comes after Mississippi State’s lackluster performance, having lost six of its past eight games, including a recent 51-10 defeat to Texas A&M, which had just fired Jimbo Fisher. Zac Selmon, the athletic director, stated, “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.”
Mississippi State’s offensive struggles have been a key factor in this decision, with the team scoring more than 17 points just once in seven SEC games. Arnett’s decision to move away from Leach’s Air Raid offense and introduce a new offensive coordinator, Kevin Barbay, proved unsuccessful, compounded by an injury to veteran quarterback Will Rogers.
The search for a new head coach is already in motion, with potential candidates including Willie Fritz, Jamey Chadwell, Barry Odom, Lance Leipold, Jon Sumrall, Jeff Lebby, and Sherrone Moore.
Greg Knox will serve as the interim coach for the rest of the season, and Arnett will receive a buyout of nearly $4 million, subject to mitigation if he gains new employment.
Arnett’s challenging tenure as head coach will undoubtedly make him a sought-after candidate for defensive coordinator roles at other schools, with his invaluable experience and expertise in the role.
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