Do you think Dan Mullen can get us to the next level?

[HueFreeze]

Neal McCready on the RebelGrove podcast says

For Dan Mulllen, a lot of people around MSU fanbase at the end of the EggBowl, even if State wins it are going to be asking that question yeah, but you can get us to the next level, can you? An the answer right now seems to be ...NO, no he can't and maybe no one can
...but if he loses this game, even at 8-4 and going to the Gator or whatever. Theres going to be a real sense around this program that ...hes not the guy


_____________
Out of 48 games he has coached. How many games has he lost where he had equal/better talent and lost the game? ...1
How can this asshat say this?

 

[engie]

Great topic... Got a long answer for this one that I'll come back with later.

 

[FISHDAWG]

he has proven that his offense's are capable with good talent ...but until the top recruits start believing that ... no one else can get us to that next level (to stay ) either

 

[AlSwearengen]

maybe for some of our more football brain dead fans. But for anyone with just a little bit of understanding realize that "the next level" whatever that is comes a few years down the road after several "good" seasons. The kluckers big problem is they think they are on par with bama, lsu, florida, etc. That is why they have to hire coaches that beg them for the job.

 

[GulfCoastDawg]

patiently waiting for the engie fact hammer to drop..

 

[RiverBullyBullDawg]

This will be Mullen's best year ever at state

This is it. The best we can ever achieve as a low tier SEC team and thus the reason Bulldawgs are happy with any bowl. Celebrate, party and be happy.

 

[FISHDAWG]

I think you're wrong ... if he stays, next year or the year after will be better than 2010 & 2012

 

[RiverBullyBullDawg]

Logically you would think so, but it will never happen. The SEC will be back to eating us alive like it normally does. Be thankful for this great year.

 

[Railin Jemmye]

Don't fall for this stupid propoganda.......

like another poster said, Mullen is building the program the way it should have been built a long time ago. One step at a time, consistent winning and image shift.

Last thing any MSU fans should be doing is seriously considering what a rebel says about our program. We have some insecure ***** in our fanbase for sure.

 

[Jgbishop]

I think Mullen can. I'm not sure if Wilson can. I'm still unsure of how good Wilson actually is. Mullen's offensive scheme has the potential for it. Hire a really good DC and a special teams coach, I think we get there. We have good enough talent waiting in the wings I believe to compete but it will still take getting more "elite" talent to solidify an upper tier program.

 

[HueFreeze]

why do you think this is the best year


do we have a dominate DC?
Do we a Mullen type qb leading us?
Do we even have a stable of capable backups at every position?

Most of our fanbase think the most talented recruiting class we have had in the last decade are currently redshirting and getting bigger/faster/ and stronger

 

[PBRME]

like another poster said, Mullen is building the program the way it should have been built a long time ago. One step at a time, consistent winning and image shift.

Last thing any MSU fans should be doing is seriously considering what a rebel says about our program. We have some insecure ***** in our fanbase for sure.

+1

 

[biguglyjoe]

Which teams will be "back to eating us alive" in the next year or two?

 

[Jacknut1]

I just wanna enjoy "THIS" level for a while.

 

[Ishmael]

Before his 4th season is even complete, it's too early to be asking this question. It's still possible that this year Mullen has a team with a 10-win season and second top-20 finish in three years. You need a fair amount more than 3 years of decent seasons before it's time to start asking this type of question.

Perhaps if there were other issues or concerns present, then this might be a question to ask. But, at this point, Mullen seems to be doing the right things to build a strong program. Even this season, the worst that can be said of him is that his team has lost poorly to top-10 teams.

To me, this seems like a stretch to have something to fill time on a podcast.

 

[00Dawg]

If the next level is a BCS bowl, then the answer is yes. If the next level is competing year in and out for the national title, it would take a long, long time.
All that has to happen is a year where the conference as a whole is slightly down, we're up, and we manage to pull a big upset. There will again come a time where LSU and Alabama aren't the premier world powers of the last 5 seasons, and the rest won't necessarily pick up the slack.

In the meantime, we're already up one level: consistent bowls. How about we still enjoy not being doormats for the moment? I have no issues with striving to be better, but any regrets about our current state of affairs from within our own fanbase are extremely premature.

 

[Railin Jemmye]

He was close to winning a title in 2010!!!!!

Do you really know how close we came to landing Cam Newton and winning a title that year?? That's how quickly things can change.

 

[SheltonChoked]

There is has been an acedemic Study that was released on Friday talking about a similar subject.

http://thesportseconomist.com/2012/11/15/whats-the-effect-of-changing-coaches-in-cfb/

 

[NatchezReb18]

Mullen won't even mention their name. When he got the job, one of the first things he said is that "We will not lose to TSUN". And State only sells about 4,000 tickets to the game that is only 1.5 hours away from their campus. Can someone explain to me? HOW SAD. Why would he stay if he had a chance to go to another BCS school?

 

[SkullCandy.sixpack]

The problem is not our coaching, it's recruiting. We can't get to the next level without getting some top 10 recruiting classes--and doing it again the year after. Bama and LSU get top 1-10 recruiting classes every year. And they have a budget that is 5x ours, and have half again as many students. And another thing that struck me about this year was that though we won all the games we were supposed to win, the top schools basically blew us out. I don't think we can play Troy, JSU and USA and get fine-tuned well enough to stay on the field with the top tier SEC schools. When you play SWAC schools and then show up at Bama, it's like the game is being played at a different speed--and you aren't ready. I think scheduling OSU was a good step forward. I'd rather lose 1-2 clutch games against worthy opponents and be able to compete with the best schools, and maybe get a game or two back from them. Beating South Alabama isn't going to impress any recruits. TSUN probably looked better to recruits going toe-to-toe but losing to LSU than we did beating up on JSU (if they tuned in to that at all). Upgrade the schedule. Get some combat experience, and be ready for war.

 

[ugabully]

Mullen won't even mention their name. When he got the job, one of the first things he said is that "We will not lose to TSUN". And State only sells about 4,000 tickets to the game that is only 1.5 hours away from their campus. Can someone explain to me? HOW SAD. Why would he stay if he had a chance to go to another BCS school?

Are you talking ticket sales for this year? Or are you talking about ticket sales that first year? Are we really only taking 4,000 to Oxford this year?

Personally, I'd like to see a whole lot more of the "We Believe" crap rolled out for this Eggbowl than for the Bama game. I think State can win it, and I see no reason why TSUN should be more up for the game or give more relentless effort.

 

[Coach34]

like another poster said, Mullen is building the program the way it should have been built a long time ago. One step at a time, consistent winning and image shift.

Last thing any MSU fans should be doing is seriously considering what a rebel says about our program. We have some insecure ***** in our fanbase for sure.

I hate to agree with Goat- but in this case he is 100%....if you are questioning whether Mullen is doing an outstanding job right now or not- you are a 17'ing moron. Bill Gates didnt build the Microsoft Empire in 4 years, and Bama didnt become a dominant program either in just 4 years

We have the worst historical record in the SEC all-time. The WORST. If you cant see the improvement in the program and how we are moving up the ladder- you are truly ignorant. Or a democrat that expects to go from being the janitor to the CEO

 

[Railin Jemmye]

So you want to upgrade the schedule without the horses to pull it off? You don't mind losing instead of winning? OUR FANS ARE FREAKING IDIOTS. We are gaining SOOOO much more recruiting wise by winning 9 games vs. an easy schedule than we would going 5-7 vs. a hard one. Pull your heads out of your asses.

Our problem is budget, plain and simple. We need more fans, and we need more money. We have everything else. We're getting facilities and we have access to talent. But we need loyal backing from our fanbase.

 

[FlabLoser]

he has proven that his offense's are capable with good talent ...but until the top recruits start believing that ... no one else can get us to that next level (to stay ) either

Yep, at this point, it's more about the crootin. No sarcasm. That's it. Period.

 

[was21]

Urban Meyer was asked shortly after Mullen was hired if he thought he could win at State. His reply was yes if he could get the players...that's what it's all about.

 

[Hump4Hoops]

There is no next level for MSU

Mullen's got us at about the ceiling of a Mississippi school in this day and age.

 

[HueFreeze]

Winning = fans!

And you get fans by consistently winning

 

[AgDawg]

Mullen can take us to a BCS bowl there is no doubt but State just can't up and go to a BCS bowl game with out having some established consistency. What he has done to this point has been outstanding. You have to go to several Gator and Peach bowls in consecutive years before you can consistently go to a Sugar Bowl.

 

[#helpstate]

I believe if Mullen left now, our program would undergo a huge setback. We need to maintain consistency for a few more years to gain the attention of higher rated recruits...

 

[DAWG61]

What is the next level? Mullen has been here 4 years so throwing out aTm and Mizzou of the 11 other SEC teams where does Mullen and MSU rank after his 4 years? Above OM, Vandy, Kentucky, Tennessee. Behind Auburn, Arkansas, Georgia, South Carolina, Florida, LSU and Bama. Already this year Mullen has beaten Auburn and Arkansas and hasn't lost to teams below him in Kentucky and Tennessee. So he is already taking MSU to the next level this year. If Mullen can stay trending up the following level will be to be equal or better than South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. That is going to be damn near impossible unless he can start getting equal talent. Mullen will need to start getting top 10 recruiting classes and a few elite level NFL players each year from here on especially in the offensive skill positions. The best of the best will always have top guys at QB, RB, WR and lots of NFL players on defense. He is close. Russell is that type of player in my eyes. Mullen needs 2-3 NFL receivers and a better pass rush and special teams to get to the Georgia/South Carolina/Florida/ level.

 

[patdog]

I disagree. If Mullen were to leave this year, and I don't think he will, he would leave a very good foundation for the next coach to build on. And we would be in very good position to make a good hire. This wouldn't be a Croom or Felker hire situation or anything close to it.

 

[thatsbaseball]

He can`t do all of this and stay squeaky clean at MSU...ain`t gonna happen

 

[SkullCandy.sixpack]

Oh really? We are gaining in recruiting? We're ranked 30th. And if this formula is so great why is TSUN kicking our asses in recruiting? I'd rather lose to a quality team like OSU than beat Alcorn only to go into an A&M game with no combat experience and look like you've spiked the Gatorade with Valium. You think we are kidding anyone? We got dissed on "Game Day" for our punk *** schedule and you don't think the recruits are watching? I'm tired of dominating the SWAC and getting gutted by the elite SEC teams. You don't get to the next level by playing USA (that was a club team 2 years ago) and getting your SEC wins against teams that have a combined SEC record of 2-26. You think Auburn, Tennessee and Arkansas are going to stay on the bottom for long? They'll upgrade coaches and in two years if we don't make changes those are losses. So we beat 4 loser non-conference teams and Kentucky, go 5-7 and suck forever. We will not get the recruits by beating chumps and then getting rolled by the SEC Big Boys. All we'll get is exposed.

 

[thatsbaseball]

"This wouldn't be a Croom or Felker hire situation".....this also wouldn`t be a Greg Byrne hire situation. I`d be a little concerned about Stricklin making this hire at this point in his career.

 

[FlabLoser]

Mullen can take us to a BCS bowl there is no doubt but State just can't up and go to a BCS bowl game with out having some established consistency. What he has done to this point has been outstanding. You have to go to several Gator and Peach bowls in consecutive years before you can consistently go to a Sugar Bowl.

False. Sherrill was damn close to the Sugar without great consistency.

Same for Nutt at Arkansas.

This **** about several years of middle tier bowls is not based on fact. In fact it's just a less depressing version of the "Croom needs more time" arguments.

 

[fishwater99]

I agree, you have to pay good players to come to our State, just look up North...

Why come to MSU if you can play at Bama, LSU, UGA or UF..

We have peaked and Mullens has yet to beat a Top 20 team...

 

[prairiedawg]

It's troubling that at the end of year 4 he has a team that is a 1 to 2 point dog to a team with a new coach coming off back to back winless conference records. I'm proud of the team and what they have accomplished this year, but should they be in this position going into this game? Maybe it says more about the progress OM has made and less about where Mullen has gotten this team, not sure at this point.

 

[patdog]

Trust me. Keenum and Stricklin know what they're doing. Stricklin was very much involved in the Mullen hire.

 

[engie]

Mullen won't even mention their name. When he got the job, one of the first things he said is that "We will not lose to TSUN". And State only sells about 4,000 tickets to the game that is only 1.5 hours away from their campus. Can someone explain to me? HOW SAD. Why would he stay if he had a chance to go to another BCS school?

8-10,000 State fans will be in that stadium on Saturday.

Going on the road to Ole Miss is very, very different from going to "bigtime" schools in the SEC where the only face value tickets you can find are the ****** seats through the school athletics office. Instead of paying full price for crappy bleacher tickets through MSU, most of us got vastly superior tickets either online or directly through Ole Miss ticket office for face value. OM is running a "2 for 1" on the endzone bleacher seats right now. How pissed would you be if you already bought at full price through MSU?

I personally know of about 50 State fans going to the game, and I don't know of a single person that got tickets through MSU.

 

[TUSK.sixpack]

huh? 10-2 & a really good bowl bid, yes... but not a good chance at a BCS, SEC or even and SECW title that year...