Zach Arnett is out at Mississippi State before completing his first season. One reason MSU is pulling the plug early is because it can afford to make the move.

As a first-time head coach born in 1986, Arnett did not demand a huge salary when he was hired to succeed the late Mike Leach. According to The Clarion-Ledger, documents show Arnett’s buyout requires Mississippi State to pay 50% of his remaining $9 million salary.

MSU may not be on the hook for all $4.5 million. There is offset and mitigation language if he gets another job. If Arnett seeks to be back on the sidelines in 2024, another defensive assistant gig may be in his future.

Arnett played linebacker at New Mexico from 2005-to-2008 under 3-3-5 defensive pioneer Rocky Long. He got his start in coaching as a graduate assistant for Long at San Diego State in 2011. In 2014, Arnett became SDSU’s linebacker coach. He was promoted to San Diego State’s defensive coordinator in 2018, while still coaching linebackers.

When Leach landed the Mississippi State job, he initially sought to hire Long as his defensive coordinator. Arnett got the job after Long turned it down. Arnett was the Bulldogs’ defensive coordinator for all 3 seasons under Leach.

After Leach’s passing, the Bulldogs decided they would go forward with playing in the ReliaQuest Bowl. Arnett made his head coaching debut and maintained the Leach staff for the game, guiding MSU to a 19-10 win over Illinois. After the bowl game, Arnett parted with a handful of Leach’s offensive assistants and worked to assemble his coaching staff.

Arnett went 4-6 in 2023, bringing his record to 5-6 overall as a head coach.