Arnett Buyout May Not Cost MSU $4.5 Million

Details Emerge From Clarion-Ledger Report

Salary Escalators and Contract Terms May Reduce MSU's Liability

According to documents obtained by The Clarion-Ledger, Mississippi State may not be on the hook for the full $4.5 million buyout owed to former defensive coordinator Zach Arnett. The documents show that Arnett's buyout requires MSU to pay only 50% of his remaining $9 million salary, which could reduce the university's liability to around $2.25 million.

Arnett was signed to a four-year contract worth $3 million per season with escalators. However, he was the lowest-paid coach in the SEC this season, making his buyout relatively low compared to other coordinators in the conference.

Arnett was replaced by Peter Sirmon, who signed a contract on Dec. 20 to serve as Mississippi State's next defensive coordinator. Sirmon's salary details have not yet been released.

In his first season in charge, Mississippi State coach Zach Arnett is due $3 million in total pay, which includes a coach's base salary paid by the school and its affiliated athletics foundation.