Mississippi State Needs a New Coach

Zach Arnett Fired After 4-6 Start

Mississippi State has fired football coach Zach Arnett after just one season at the helm. The Bulldogs finished the 2022 campaign with a 4-6 record, including a 2-4 mark in Southeastern Conference play. Arnett was hired in December 2021 after spending the previous three seasons as the defensive coordinator at Syracuse.

Arnett's Challenges

Arnett faced a number of challenges in his first season as head coach at Mississippi State. The Bulldogs lost several key players from the 2021 team, including quarterback Will Rogers, running back Jo'quavious Marks, and wide receiver Makai Polk. The team also dealt with a number of injuries throughout the season.

Despite the challenges, Arnett showed some promise in his first season. The Bulldogs played competitively in several games, including a narrow loss to No. 7 Kentucky and a win over No. 22 Auburn. However, the team struggled to find consistency and made several costly mistakes down the stretch.

The Search for a New Coach

Mississippi State will now begin the search for a new head coach. The school is expected to target an experienced coach with a proven track record of success. Some of the potential candidates include former Mississippi State head coach Dan Mullen, former Florida head coach Jim McElwain, and former Ole Miss head coach Hugh Freeze.

Conclusion

The firing of Zach Arnett is a disappointing end to what was a promising start to his head coaching career. However, Mississippi State has a long and storied football tradition, and the school is confident that it can find a coach who can lead the Bulldogs back to success.