Mississippi State Fires Head Coach Zach Arnett
In a surprising move, first-year coach Zach Arnett was fired by Mississippi State yesterday. Arnett, who took over as head coach just three days after the death of former coach Mike Leach in December, was let go after coaching the Bulldogs to a win in the ReliaQuest Bowl last season and a 4-6 record this season.
The firing comes on the heels of Mississippi State’s 51-10 loss to Texas A&M on Saturday, which also resulted in the firing of Texas A&M’s head coach, Jimbo Fisher on Sunday. The coincidental timing of both firings has raised eyebrows in the college football world.
This unusual situation has led many to wonder when was the last time two coaches in one FBS game were immediately fired. The only similar instance in recent memory occurred in 2021 when Miami beat Duke 47-10, leading to the dismissals of Manny Diaz and David Cutcliffe after the regular-season finale.
In addition to Arnett’s firing, San Diego State’s head coach Brady Hoke also announced his retirement at the end of the season, adding to the coaching vacancies in the college football landscape.
With six coaching jobs currently available, the competition for the top candidates will be fierce. The openings include Texas A&M, Michigan State, Mississippi State, Boise State, San Diego State, and Northwestern, with each job offering its own unique set of challenges and opportunities.
While Mississippi State’s job ranks as a solid “B” due to its standing as an SEC program, it is noted that the upcoming additions of Texas and Oklahoma to the conference could make the job even more challenging.
In other news, Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh made headlines with his eccentric comments during a recent press conference, including referring to his team as “America’s team” and discussing his love for the TV show “Judge Judy.”
As the college football season continues to unfold, the coaching carousel and Heisman race are sure to provide plenty of drama and intrigue for fans and analysts alike.