The Mississippi State University football team stands with an overall record of 4-6 and 1-6 in SEC conference play. They are in the midst of a 3-game losing streak. Mississippi State University will try to stop that against The University of Southern Mississippi. They end the season against Ole Miss on Thanksgiving. Mississippi State though has seen enough of Head Coach Zach Arnett.
Arnett was named the Interim Head Coach following the death of Head Coach Mike Leach. Leach spent 3 years with Mississippi State University from 2020 to 2022. Under Leach, the program wasn’t very successful with a record of 19-17. Mississippi State University ended up in two bowl games with Leach and they were 1-1.
Arnett was the defensive coordinator under Leach. With him as the Interim Head Coach, Mississippi State University only played one game under him, the ReliaQuest Bowl where they knocked off the University of Illinois 19-10. That performance was good enough for Mississippi State to hire him as the full time Head Coach.
This season Mississippi State had high expectations. They wanted to be in the race for the SEC West Division. If they won it, then they would be in the SEC Title game. That is not going to happen. They are 1-6 in SEC conference play and 4-6 overall. Mississippi State decided to fire Arnett after 11 games as Head Coach. He leaves Mississippi State with a record of 5-6.
According to ESPN.com, Mississippi State Athletic Director Zac Selmon said, “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. 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.”
This move makes zero sense. He was given one year to turn the program around, not enough time to make a difference. For most programs, it takes about 2 to 3 years for that to happen. At least 2 or 3 years gives the school a chance to see how the coach recruits. If they wanted a change, Mississippi State had their chance last year after their bowl game win.
Mississippi State University will now start a coaching search. They should look for a coach who has head coaching experience. At least that coach knows how to run a program. Mississippi State needs to give them at least 2 or 3 years. Firing them after a year or two will do them no good and they will be back in this position again.
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