Mississippi State fires Zach Arnett: Bulldogs part with coach less than one season after replacing Mike Leach

Mississippi State relieved head soccer coach Zach Arnett of his tasks Monday morning. Arnett compiled a 4-6 document (1-6 SEC) within the 2023 season thru 10 video games in his first 12 months as full-time coach. Senior offensive analyst Greg Knox will function Mississippi State meantime coach throughout the ultimate two video games of the season, in line with ESPN. 

Arnett was once increased from defensive coordinator to meantime coach in 2022 following the premature demise of the mythical Mike Leach. After main the workforce to an emotional victory within the ReliaQuest Bowl, the management determined to advertise Arnett to full-time coach all over the offseason in lieu of engaging in a countrywide seek for Leach’s alternative. 

“I’ve the maximum admire for Zach Arnett and am extremely appreciative of the hassle he put forth in main our soccer program.” athletic director Zac Selmon mentioned. However, the development and on-field effects have no longer been of the usual required for Mississippi State to succeed in the extent of good fortune we’d like and be expecting.

“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.”

The transfer to fireside Arnett comes at the heels of a 51-10 loss for Mississippi State to Texas A&M in Week 11. Ironically, Arnett isn’t the primary coach to be fired amid the fallout from that sport. On Sunday, Texas A&M made the transfer to fireside Jimbo Fisher regardless of the convincing win for the Aggies. 

Exploring the fast transfer

Firing a coach ahead of his first complete 12 months has even concluded turns out like a drastic and virtually remarkable measure, particularly when Mississippi State remains to be in competition for a bowl sport. But it’s transparent that numerous what Arnett attempted to put in force wasn’t operating. 

Of Mississippi State’s six convention losses, handiest one got here via no less than one ownership. The Bulldogs’ lone convention win got here in opposition to an Arkansas workforce that hadn’t gained an SEC sport to that time, and MSU handiest controlled to attain seven issues whilst maintaining the Razorbacks to a area objective. Mississippi State’s reasonable scoring margin in SEC play is minus 21 issues. 

Arnett attempted to put in force a brand new pro-style scheme after 3 years of the Air Raid underneath Leach. State ranks twelfth within the SEC in general offense (325.8 yards in keeping with sport) and closing in scoring offense (21.4 issues in keeping with sport). Starting quarterback Will Rogers has dealt with an harm for the previous a number of video games, however even ahead of that he was once on tempo for his worst 12 months because the COVID-shortened 2020 season with a projected 2,550 yards passing and 20 touchdowns for a complete season. 

Even Mississippi State’s protection struggled underneath the transition, regardless of Arnett’s familiarity with the crowd. His gadgets completed top-five in general protection in every of his 3 years as defensive coordinator, but the Bulldogs recently rank 9th in the similar class whilst surrendering 365.4 yards in keeping with sport. Their 28.2 issues allowed in keeping with sport is fourth-worst amongst convention techniques. 

Struggling at the recruiting path 

Arnett and his body of workers were not recruiting on the degree anticipated of an SEC program. Mississippi State’s 2024 magnificence ranked forty sixth nationally, and closing within the SEC, within the 247Sports Team Composite recruiting scores previous to his firing. 

The Bulldogs recently have two four-star potentialities — neither of that are ranked within the Top247 — within the fold. Mississippi State additionally holds simply one dedication from a top-10 in-state prospect in vast receiver JJ Harrell. This after it signed 4 of Mississippi’s 10 very best avid gamers all over the 2023 cycle — two extra than Ole Miss controlled. 

It is not like Mississippi State’s magnificence is falling at the back of early within the procedure. The first highschool signing length opens Dec. 20, giving whoever State hires as Arnett’s alternative an excessively small window to get issues again heading in the right direction. 

What’s owed? 

Another catalyst for Mississippi State’s determination might be the truth that Arnett boasts a rather school-friendly contract. He was once set to make $3 million every year over the following 3 years, however according to 247Sports the college will handiest owe him 50% of that. That manner MSU will handiest must pay $4.5 million over a 3-year length, plus no matter it could owe any assistants that don’t seem to be retained. 

Compared to the staggering over $77 million determine that Texas A&M is at the hook for with Fisher, Arnett’s buyout turns out like pennies at the greenback. And if Arnett will get any other training process — which is not unrealistic given his confirmed observe document as an assistant — his new wage would subtract from the buyout Mississippi State owes him. This all lets in the college to be slightly versatile in its pursuit of any other candidate.