Mississippi State football coaching search guide: Everything to know as MSU replaces Zach Arnett

Head coaching candidates for the Mississippi State Bulldogs

I’ve been keeping tabs on a number of coaches for about half of the season now. And I’m not going to list everyone and everything because not every single one of those coaches would be a good fit for the Mississippi State football team.

But there are a number of coaches who could thrive in Starkville. While there are some who will want a big name, it’s important that Mississippi State gets the right fit for this role.

Now, some are going to say that we should hire an established head coach or an experienced head coach. Someone that is the opposite of what Joe Moorhead and Zach Arnett were when they were hired.

Youth shouldn’t inherently be a reason to avoid a coach if they are indeed the right coach. It’s important that MSU does bring someone with experience in, but they don’t necessarily need to be a 20+ year head coaching veteran.

What would be more important than pure experience is getting someone who understands where college football is right now. Get someone who is an exciting recruiter. MSU is known for having good defenses and poor offense, so get someone who can overcome historical trends that don’t work in the Bulldogs’ favor.

Here’s a few names that you need to be aware of right now:

• Mississippi State football: 5 coaches primed for a rebuild
• Mississippi State football coach hot board: 8 replacements for Zach Arnett
• 5 innovative coaches Mississippi State football fans should know
• 5 dynamic coaches Mississippi State football fans should know
• 3 coaches Mississippi State football should steer clear of

And more will be on their way shortly. This page will be updated, so bookmark it.