Mississippi State’s 51-10 loss against the Texas A&M Aggies (who are also parting with their head coach) was enough for the university’s athletic department. They announced that first-year head coach Zach Arnett has been fired amid a 4-6 start. That record includes a 1-6 record against SEC opponents, which is tied for last in the SEC West.

Arnett originally took over as the interim head coach after Mike Leach passed away last December. He led the Bulldogs to a win in the ReliaQuest Bowl against the Illinois Fighting Illini. Mississippi State started the season 2-0, but things have unraveled quickly since then.
Their last three games were a 14-point loss at Auburn, a 21-point loss against Kentucky, and then this 41-point beatdown opposite the Aggies. Zac Selmon, the university’s Director of Athletics, summarized the decision in a press release. The most damning quote read “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.”

Matt Bush
Who Takes Over for Mississippi State’s Football Team?
Mississippi State still has two games left, including the famous Egg Bowl at home this Thanksgiving. If they were to win both games, the Bulldogs would be bowl-eligible. Greg Knox is set to take over as the interim head coach for the team moving forward, looking to finish the year strong.
Knox should have a win in front of him this weekend against Southern Mississippi. However, Starkville will care much more about defeating Ole Miss to conclude their season. It would be a second straight victory in the rivalry and a massive upset since the Ole Miss Rebels are ranked. 2023 can still be a season with happy memories for the Bulldogs.

(photo by Beth Wynn / © Mississippi State University)
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