Monday, November 13, 2023

State Fires Arnett

 Mississippi State University issued the following statement. 

Mississippi State Director of Athletics Zac Selmon announced Monday that Zach Arnett has been relieved of his duties as head football coach effective immediately.
Selmon will hold a noon CT press conference Monday.
A national search to identify the Bulldogs' next head football coach is underway. MSU senior offensive analyst Greg Knox, who has 35 years of coaching experience including 28 years in the Southeastern Conference, will serve as interim head coach for the remainder of the 2023 season. Knox is in his second stint at MSU and previously served as the Bulldogs' interim head coach during the 2017 TaxSlayer Bowl, where he led the team to a 31-27 win over Louisville.
"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," Selmon said. "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.
"Zach took on an unprecedented and challenging situation last December. He provided the football program much needed leadership and stability during a tragic time. There is no question that he has made a positive impact on the lives of our student-athletes during his time here. We are grateful for his contributions to Mississippi State and wish him the very best both personally and professionally.
"Starkville is a special place with incredible people. Our football program is an NFL factory in a recruiting footprint that is second to none and has previously shown it can compete at the highest level in the SEC. With Mississippi State's history, tradition, devoted fan base and facilities, while competing in the nation's best conference, I firmly believe we will attract someone who will bring a winning culture on-and-off the field and lead our program to new heights in today's era of college football."
Mississippi State University President Mark E. Keenum said Selmon will move effectively in the search process. "When Zac Selmon was hired after Coach Leach's passing, one of the attributes he reflected was the ability to effectively identify and recruit talent," Keenum said. "I have every confidence that Zac will move quickly to identify a new leader for our football program who will energize our team, our students and our loyal and enthusiastic fan base.
 
"I want to sincerely thank Zach Arnett for his hard work and service to the university and our football program. I will be forever grateful to Zach for how he stepped up after the untimely death of head coach Mike Leach. We asked him in those difficult hours to lead our team, protect our Top 25 recruiting class, and take us to a ReliaQuest Bowl victory over Illinois. Zach accomplished those things, and our fans should respect and appreciate him for that tremendous service to MSU. All of us at Mississippi State wish Zach and his wonderful family the very best. I know that he will go on to enjoy an outstanding career in coaching."
 
Arnett was named the Bulldogs' 35th head football coach on December 15, 2022, following the tragic passing of then head coach Mike Leach. He led the Bulldogs to a 19-10 win over Illinois on January 2, 2023, in the ReliaQuest Bowl. The Bulldogs had a 5-6 record during Arnett's tenure including a 4-6 record this season.

 

Kingfish note: By the way, check out how MSU's running back from last year is doing out west.

62 comments:

Anonymous said...

I understand your point in posting the video, Mr. Kingfish, but USC is soft as Charmin.

Anonymous said...

Okay everyone... So what does a short list look like?

Anonymous said...

Good on the new AD for getting out in front of this and going and cutting the bleeding. Cohen would have given him another year and we'd still be in the same shape.

Anonymous said...

"The Sonic Drive of the game will be my drive home tonight to Tupelo. Hopefully it will be an uneventful one. "

Anonymous said...

Coach "O" is available.

Anonymous said...

"The QB and the receiver weren't on the same page there, but hey its only week
eleven."

Anonymous said...

"Coming up on the end of the quarter. The third quarter, that is. We've still got another one to play.
At the end of the third quarter, Ole Miss barely out in front, 38-0."

Anonymous said...

Breaking news! Bob Stoops just named HC for MSU

Anonymous said...

"A great many of the 55,000 fans have left the game now (45-0), they might even be home now watching on TV".

Anonymous said...

Arnett is a good guy and a good DC. He was put into a tough situation and tried to keep it out of the ditch. It didn’t work out but I respect his efforts and wish him well.

Anonymous said...

Aw man you should have let him continue out the season, that way he could lose 2 more games

RetreadForState said...

Hilarious!!!

Based upon a solid source...State is going "hat in hand" begging Dan Mullen to return to "The Land That Fun Forgot" and are willing to empty the bank for the one who kept their bowl string alive with the academic bowl invite.

If anyone can remember, after winning their academic bowl...State STILL ended the year with a losing record! More hilarity!!! :D

Anonymous said...

3-4 million to kick your feet up. Nice.

Anonymous said...

We need Coach O!!!

Anonymous said...

Quoted for truth!


"Starkville is a special place with incredible people."

Anonymous said...

@9:57, no they are not. Will never happen. The fanbase will revolt if they do that. Solid source my ass.

Anonymous said...

go get jimbo..

Anonymous said...

Talks swirling and Deion's name is getting a lot of mention.

Kingfish said...

They don't have the money for Prime. He is all about using the portal and state boosters don't have the NIL money he wants for it. Don't think his kids can transfer again either.

Anonymous said...

"Anonymous Anonymous said...
Talks swirling and Deion's name is getting a lot of mention.

November 13, 2023 at 11:19 AM"


Don't be dumb, both of his kids start for Colorado, have used their one free transfer and have another year left before heading to the NFL. He's staying at CU for another year. He's more about himself and his kids than any program, he won't abandon his kids. Now if the NFL came calling, that'd be a different matter.

Anonymous said...

100,000 people in Mississippi or more know how dumb it was to move away from the Air Raid after the number of years Will Rogers had in it. Why on Earth did Zach Arnett change up the offense with a qb with so many years of experience in the old system under his belt? Could’ve promoted one of Leach’s offensive apprentices to OC. Could’ve made a run for someone like Shannon Dawson or Chris Hatcher. Instead, State gave Zack Arnett 3 million dollars a year to do someone incredibly stupid.

Anonymous said...

My sources tell me the State AD has reached out to Lane Kiffin.

Anonymous said...

His hiring was a knee jerk reaction by a clueless "interim athletic director". Neither Coach nor MSU should have been put in this position. Stupid is as stupid does! Sorry Coach - go enjoy the money and best wishes in the future.

Anonymous said...

Jimbo would be the ultimate. Imagine him and Kiffen an hour away from each other. And Jimbo can fund the NIL personally with his $70 mil

Anonymous said...

Deion is 1-6 in his last 7 games fyi. The shine is starting to wear off, and questions about the sustainability of his business model are certainly starting.

Anonymous said...

I come just to see how much football bullshit this would haul in, and, goddamn, but it's a lot of it.

I don't know. Maybe football draws more comments because there isn't (usually) an elephant in the room.

Carry on, fans, carry on.

Kingfish said...

He's still done pretty good for his first year considering how bad they were last year. Of course, he is wearing Travis Hunter out letting him play 2-way as much. Sanders didn't play that many snaps when he played two way and that was in the NFL.

Sanders has nothing in the trenches and sorry, you're not going to get many good linemen in the portal. If a lineman is halfway decent, he is playing, even if second string as they are constantly rotated. If he wants a line, he is going to have to recruit one and build it up the old fashioned way.

Anonymous said...

Chadwell is the betting favorite (3/1), and his style would work well with the talent that Mississippi State can recruit.

Best wishes to Arnett. He was put in a tough position and will receive $7 million for it. ($3 million salary + $4 million buyout). He will be a successful defensive coordinator, likely at USC and will get another chance to be a head coach in the future.



Anonymous said...

Deion has far exceed his first year expectations. Next year will be even better.

Anonymous said...

Jeff Lebby, Bob Stoops, Tom Herman, or the Memphis Coach are most likely the leading candidates, sans a few dark horses. Kiffen won't happen, he and the fans would clash, he is happy in Oxford, his son is happy in Oxford, it'll take Alabama hiring him to leave. I'm a State Fan, but also a realist. He isn't going anywhere until he is made to or hits a homerun hire(Saban retiring). I will bet the farm Jimmy Sexton will fuel the Kiffen to A&M to get Ole Miss to offer more money and contract extension knowing the whole time Kiffen wants nothing to do with A&M's delusional fan base. The winner every year in the coaching carousel is Jimmt Sexton, year in and year out.

Anonymous said...

Dan Mullen for Round #2? Anyone? Maybe somebody from the State side of Fansville would certainly be better than what we have now

Anonymous said...



A "national" search.

Anonymous said...

I completely disagree with Prime being a good coach. He came in with a splash, cut or benched all the incompetent players, and brought in some top recruits. That alone will move the needle from a 1-11 team to a 5-7 team. Coaching gets you the rest of the way to a winning record... and the Buffs ain't getting there this year. Can he learn to coach over time? Sure. Does anyone with a brain think he could coach an SEC program right now? Hell no.

As for State, I'm thinking they go back with an offensive minded coach like Ryan Grubb, Mike Denbrock, or Jeff Lebby. If they want a seasoned head coach, I'd see them going with Chadwell, Fritz, or Curt Cignetti. They have the talent there to run the spread... I don't have a dog in the hunt but, if I did, I'd go with someone that could use the spread/air raid talent that's already there and could bring some more with him.

Anonymous said...

I'm glad Kingfish is not in the football bidness.

Word has it State's AD flew into D.C. this afternoon re Tubberville being kicked out of the Senate.

Anonymous said...

Anybody recognize Salter's writing style?

Anonymous said...

I have iron good authority that Joe Namath will be the next MSU coach. Really. No kidding.

Anonymous said...

11:33 here

I like where 3:07 is taking the conversation

I like Fritz and Cignetti, but do they want to start with a new program at their age. Plus they both have a better chance in the post season with the FBS playoffs expanding to more teams.

Denbrock and Grubb lack experience in the South. If I wanted someone and lack of southern experience didn’t matter, I would lean towards Jason Candle, Matt Campbell, and Lance Leipold.

Jamey Caldwell, Joe Judge, and Freddie Kitchens could be good choices. Other idea would be to go get Garrett Riley or someone to run the Air Raid.

Anonymous said...

@ 12:48 Deion is the greatest coach ever if you don't believe me just ask him and Shedeur is the greatest QB in the country even better than anyone in the NFL if you don't believe me ask his daddy.

Anonymous said...


Joe Pa fans check in?

Anonymous said...

"Starkville is a special place with incredible people. Our football program is an NFL factory"

Then why the heck do you keep begging me for money instead of the NFL?

Why do we pretend that these thugs are "student-athletes" instead of admitting they are handing them a joke degree in "kinesiology" or "sports marketing" or something.

When we look at our nation, and how tough it is for the latest generation, how can a human look at wasting 76 million dollars on a failed coach, much less 10 million each year for clowns to coach a kid's game?

Let me guess, both MSU and OM have greatly increased spending on sportsball while having spending on instruction, research, and public service stay flat or decline?

But Billy Bob is itching to pay another clod 10 million a year or more to be just going to a mediocre bowl game at best?

Instead of spending big bucks on scholars and researchers, we howl for thugs to get CTE and get an NIL deal and showboat for the NFL. Frigging insanity.

Anonymous said...

It will be Memphis coach, Tulane coach, or Bobby Petrino.

Prime can't leave Colorado and take all the good players, they are out of transfers.

4:58 needs to not click on sports posts. Might add five years to his life. This is not school money, this is stupid alumni money. They can burn it as they please.

Anonymous said...


Never heard of him......

Who is he and what is it that he supposedly does????

Anonymous said...

Joe “Joey” Judge & Freddie “Fat” Kitchens are terrible candidates for MSU Head Coach!!

Anonymous said...

"Let me guess, both MSU and OM have greatly increased spending on sportsball while having spending on instruction, research, and public service stay flat or decline?"

You left out DEI, and ESG, programs, and the amount of money wasted there.

Anonymous said...

Petrino's an asshat. Don't go there.

Anonymous said...

Why are people so wierd that they obsess on "who might be the coach" and "I am a bigger shit than you and my sources said yadayadayada". Do they think it makes their dick bigger or something?

Anonymous said...

As a longtime fan and eternally disappointed fan of MSU football, all I can say is,”Here we go again.” What do I really think? We will hire some wanna-be head coach, build him up with glowing comments, be happy when we beat San Antonio Teachers College and Spot Welding Academy so that we can go to the Gecko Bowl in Port Aransus, LA, and then rejoice when we end recruiting season with a team and are picked for the 88th time to finish last in the SEC West. Then we will rejoice when we finish 5th give our unknown head coach another year and a million dollar raise as we start the next recruiting cycle.

My thoughts now turn to dead puppies on highway 80.

Anonymous said...

I used to love football season, season tickets, follow all the recruiting and scouting reports, tailgate, the works. I bowed out of it all and refuse to let college admins, overpaid coaches and 18-22 year old college kids ruin my Saturdays. I bet I haven't watched a combined full four quarters of football all year. It's been great.

Anonymous said...

7:57 a.m. is a genuine article. 100% dyed-in-the-wool MSU from waaaaaayyyy back.

Anonymous said...

Speaking of 'who ever heard of'...State's A.D. a year and a half ago, was a total mystery. His prowess prior to being hired here was affirmative action and Equity.

What makes you think this guy has the credits to 'reach out' to any quality candidates? Can you imagine him having to go through three levels of 'receptionists' to convince them he's an Athletics Director, and the man on the other end, eventually answering with, "Who is this again?"

But, alas...he'll be going through a 'national search firm', right? They'll answer the phone the same way.

Bo Bounds and Matt Wyatt can be had for half a mil.

Anonymous said...

My advice to Alabama fans on their upcoming, inevitable decline: Counsel with your Miss. State and Ole Miss friends. They can instruct you on how to be humble, year after year and coach after coach.

Anonymous said...

My advice to Alabama fans on their upcoming, inevitable decline: Counsel with your Miss. State and Ole Miss friends. They can instruct you on how to be humble, year after year and coach after coach.

Kingfish said...

Depends. Never underestimate Paul Jr's ability to mess things up. Before Saban, he struck out a lot.

Anonymous said...

@8:48 I guess the network of Bob Stoops, Tom Coughlin, Jacksonville Jaguars, Barry Switzer, and all of the others from a long line of coaching pedigree and NFL experience means nothing. Realize he is young, but the contacts are certainly there. Selmon name in Oklahoma carries a pretty big stick.

Anonymous said...

Kingfish: Every thread should be closed out with a most hospitable happy post, even if it's a fairy tale. Therefore, there's this:

"Selmon name in Oklahoma carries a pretty big stick."

Anonymous said...

Relax 4:08. 8:48 is obviously just stupid.

Anonymous said...

Arnett owned this team the moment he fired all but one of the offensive staff. He then proceeded to hire assistants before he had an Offensive Coordinator in place.

I hope he fires whomever gave him such poor advice.

Anonymous said...

Very reliable source says Bobby Petrino in Starkville this afternoon! Probably a done deal!

Jackie Wayne Sherrill said...

@11:58 If you think an "interim AD" hired Arnett, I have some beachfront property to sell you in Mendenhall. This was all on Dr. Keenum. Arnett didn't want the job. Guess he felt like he wouldn't have one if he didn't take it.

Anonymous said...

I wonder if they will be looking for a coach at Mississippi this year. Pretty sure T A&M can buyout any contract they want.

Anonymous said...


"Selmon name in Oklahoma carries a pretty big stick."

That's true...but his one ain't related to 'em.

Anonymous said...

@11:31 You are exactly right. Why change from an Air Raid offense which the whole team knows into something he, Arnett, wants to put in place immediately. Unbelievable. Bad & stupid decision on his part...


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