Mississippi State Fires First-Year Football Coach Zach Arnett

In the Wake of Coach Mike Leach's Passing

Mississippi State University has fired first-year head football coach Zach Arnett, according to sources cited by 247Sports' Brandon Marcello. The move comes just two days after the untimely passing of former head coach Mike Leach.

The Bulldogs had removed the interim tag from Arnett's title following the 2022 season, but now they have reversed that decision. Arnett had been serving as Ole Miss's defensive coordinator before being hired by Mississippi State in January 2023.

According to 247Sports, Arnett was given the longest contract ever offered to a coordinator at Mississippi State. He is set to receive a substantial salary bump as part of his new deal.