Jamey Chadwell has worked wonders at NCAA Division II program North Greenville, revived FCS program Charleston Southern and took Coastal Carolina to unprecedented heights.
In Year 1 atop the Liberty program as replacement for Hugh Freeze, Chadwell has thus far engineered a perfect 11-0 campaign for the No. 22 Flames -- who already have clinched an early-December berth in the Conference-USA Championship game.
It's all heady stuff, and it all has attracted attention along the way -- now, most prominently, from SEC program Mississippi State, sources with direct knowledge tell FootballScoop.
MSU Athletics Director Zac Selmon on Monday fired Zach Arnett, the first-year head coach who had taken over in the aftermath of the tragic passing of former beloved head coach Mike Leach.
Now, while the Bulldogs vet and speak with a number of candidates, sources have strongly indicated that Mississippi State's top choice is Chadwell, the East Tennessee native who has notched nine seasons of eight or more wins in 13 years as a head coach across multiple college football levels.
Sources familiar with State's search indicated that the Bulldogs had looked to Chadwell extensively enough to have formulated an potential offer to Chadwell of around $6-6.25 million.
However, in this process and again late Sunday evening, sources strongly indicated to FootballScoop that Chadwell has stayed strong in his commitment to Liberty and his family has greatly enjoyed their transition from Conway, South Carolina, to Lynchburg, Virginia.
Additionally, per sources, Chadwell has a $4 million buyout to exit Liberty after his first season -- leaving any potential suitor on the hook for that $4 million, plus the incoming Salary of Chadwell and his staff, as well as any buyout monies owed to the outgoing staff.
Arnett, per sources, had a buyout of around $4.75 million -- though his contract does contain offset language.
Additional candidates sources tell FootballScoop that are being vetted or having conversations with Mississippi State include Jacksonville State head coach Rich Rodriguez, UNLV's Barry Odom and Oklahoma offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby, who has previous ties in the Magnolia State from his stint as Ole Miss's offensive coordinator under Lane Kiffin.
Interim coach Greg Knox, who guided the Bulldogs to an 41-20 win Saturday against Southern Miss and could get MSU bowl eligible this week if it can upset Kiffin's 12th-ranked Rebels, also could be a candidate for the post.