Mississippi State fires 1st-year football coach Zach Arnett

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Mississippi State fired football coach Zach Arnett on Monday.

Arnett was in his first season as the head coach of the Bulldogs. He was named as a replacement for the late Mike Leach, who passed away last December.

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Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Zach Arnett reacts during the second quarter against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on Oct. 28, 2023 in Auburn, Alabama. (Alex Slitz/Getty Images)

"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," Mississippi State athletics director Zac Selmon said in a statement. 

"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."

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Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Zach Arnett, left, and Texas A&M Aggies head coach Jimbo Fisher chat at midfield before the football game between the Mississippi State Bulldogs and Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field on Nov. 11, 2023 in College Station, Texas. (Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Selmon praised Arnett for stepping into the leadership role in a trying time for the program.

"Zach took on an unprecedented and challenging situation last December. He provided the football program much needed leadership and