Good Analysis on Mullen's Future Suitors

saddawg · Nov 2, 2010

saddawg · Nov 2, 2010

saddawg · Nov 2, 2010

coastratdog · Nov 2, 2010

We have a better recruiting base with more players and less travel, better conference, etc. Not saying that Mullen is here for the long haul but I think he would leave for only a bigger fish...ie...when Michigan gets tired of Rich. or Joe Pa decides to retire.

TJC

dawgstudent · Nov 2, 2010

but they have won a national championship and have had a heisman trophy winner in the past 20 years.

Shmuley · Nov 2, 2010

but if he beats Alabama, then all bets are off. He pulls that one off, and you can kiss his *** goodbye.

Xenomorph · Nov 2, 2010

Boulder

Guy From Gulfport · Nov 2, 2010

Xenomorph said:
Boulder

skip dog · Nov 2, 2010

And I think there are 2 big reasons that say that Mullen can be very content @ MSU: 1.) SEC national exposure & 2.) being what Jackie Sherrill said, "Why not MSU ?"

As I understand it, Slive has voiced that he does not want SEC coaches jumping ship for other SEC schools, but that is not to say that he wouldn't encourage it if it involved MSU (Slive can suck it)

If anything, I think that we are seeing more parity in college football than we have ever seen before. The population is bigger, & there are more talented athletes available that qualify than ever before, therefor the wealth has to be spread around.

Stricklen has said that we will not be beat on Mullen due to money, we are committed to facilities improvement, our fan base & school seems to be on the same page, & as delusional as our fans can be, I still don't think we hold a candle to the Notre Dames, LSUs, & Bamers of the college football world.........The way some of these fan bases act, it makes me wonder why anyone would want to coach & put up w/ that crap.

As long as Sherrill had Dr. Zach, he had the full support of the University, but when Dr. Z stepped down, Sherrill actually had the AD working against him. Now we have a University & Athletic Department in full support of the Head Coach & that has to be as good a situation as anywhere else in the U.S.

And as far as the "my sister's friend's Aunt's mother's brother's daughter says that the Mullens hate Starkville" crap........take that somewhere else.

Our overall athletic budget may leave something to be desired, but that is also a ongoing work in progress, & me-thinks that Mullen understands that the grass is not always greener on the other side.......so why not MSU ?

dawgstudent · Nov 2, 2010

my philosophy is this - if a coach is cherry picked from MSU - it means we are winning.

I do hope we can get a couple of more years out of him but I have a feeling this isn't going to be about $$$. We are a top 20 job in the country as far as financial considerations. Coaches have egos. Mullen is not going to leave State unless another school gives a much better shot at a national championship. Cuzdawg and I discussed this last night.

seshomoru · Nov 2, 2010

Should he leave at some point, I fully trust Keenum and Sricklin to hire another good coach.

bulliegolfer · Nov 2, 2010

that won't eliminate all reasons for Mullen to leave. But it could soften him up to staying. I think we are OK this year. But another good year with higher profile openings...........

Shmuley · Nov 2, 2010

GentlemanJack87 · Nov 2, 2010

If Mullen decides to leave I will be extremely torn. Part of me would be extremely pissed and another part would wish him well for turning this program around. I can't remember a time when Mississippi State was more relevant save for the late 90's. Even then we weren't "The School" in the state. I maybe be delusional but maybe Mullen and the new regime have this program turning into an LSU or a Texas or a Georgia, where in state kids grow up dreaming of playing for the Bulldogs. Those other schools have a lot more money but maybe if we can capture the hearts and minds of the majority of our state eventually our money problems will take care of itself.

Btw, do we promote Diaz to HC?

zerocooldog · Nov 2, 2010

[b said:
coastratdog[/b]]or Joe Pa decides to retire.

Fuuny youmention this,I've heard from my guys at PSU that they are very high on Mullen right now, just wating forthe weekend at Bernie's to finally end.

FlabLoser · Nov 2, 2010

Camp #1: People who think MSU should be a perennial 6-8 win team with occasional 10-win seasons think there is no way Dan leaves THIS YEAR. That's just silly. Sure we're 7-2, but it isn't earth-shattering for an MSU team to be 7-2. We know fully well the current decade of malfeasance is an aberration based on the slow departure of Jackie Sherrill and an absolute terrible head coaching hire by our departed AD. While 7-2 is good, it doesn't make one a miracle worker. Dan has more to prove before he leaves - if he leaves at all.

Camp #2: People who think MSU's destiny is to be a 3-win team. These people think any and every coach who wins here will quickly run for the door at the first opportunity. These are the same people who began to suggest, that Croom, yes Croom, might be interested in other places following the Liberty Bowl season. These people just don't get that MSU can be a winning program. Their memory doesn't go back more than 5 years and frankly, they are either just stupid or just making noise in the media.

saddawg · Nov 2, 2010

Meagan Mullen has said publicly, while speaking at various functions, that she is moving her parents to Starkville from Pa. She has said her parents love it there.

I don't see uprooting and moving them that far if you hate where you are.

Dan will leave for a place that has a better chance to win a NC. We can get the salary up there competitive.

It will be all about the programs chance of winning.

McDawg · Nov 2, 2010

Mullen is currently No. 49 on this list but I'm not sure of it's accuracy. Giving him a decent raise to, say, 2.5 million puts him at no. 13 (which is tied with Nutt). I don't think money will be the issue if he leaves and I doubt any of the top 10 on this list will be calling any time soon except possibly Florida but not this year. I don't think Georgia will when Richt is run off. Out of the next 20, which would be a school that would be a better place for Mullen? Michigan maybe but they're stuck with Rich Rod and they'd probably stay "inhouse". The other schools seem stable as far as coaches or lateral moves. Mullen, as long as he wins 7+ games a year, should be safe in the sense that he won't be run off. He's got something good going and he's well-liked by the fans and in the top conference in the country. I think it would be hard to duplicate that in other places. So where would he go? Georgia Tech? Rutgers?

http://www.americasbeston...ehighestpaidcoaches.html
College Football Coaches
Salaries- Top 100 <div align="left"> 

<table id="table15" class="tableizer-table" width="388" align="left">
<tbody><tr>
<td width="240">

1. 

Mack Brown, Texas</td>
<td width="55">

Pac-10</td>
<td>

$5,100,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

2. 

Bob Stoops, Oklahoma </td>
<td width="55">

Big 12</td>
<td>

$4,300,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

3. Urban
Meyer, Florida

3. Lane Kiffin</td>
<td width="55">

SEC
USC</td>
<td>

$4,000,000
$4,000,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

4. Nick Saban,
Alabama</td>
<td width="55">

SEC</td>
<td>

$3,900,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

5. 

Les Miles, LSU</td>
<td width="55">

SEC</td>
<td>

$3,800,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

6. 

Jim Tressel,
Ohio State</td>
<td width="55">

Big Ten</td>
<td>

$3,722,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

7.
Mark Richt, Georgia</td>
<td width="55">

SEC</td>
<td>

$3,096,576</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

8. Kirk
Ferentz, Iowa</td>
<td width="55">

Big Ten</td>
<td>

$3,030,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

9. 

Bobby Petrino, Arkansas</td>
<td width="55">

SEC</td>
<td>

$2,900,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

10. 

Mark Richt,
Georgia</td>
<td width="55">

SEC</td>
<td>

$2,900,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

11.
Rich Rodriguez, Michigan</td>
<td width="55">

Big Ten</td>
<td>

$2,900,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

12. 

Jeff Tedford, California </td>
<td width="55">

Big Ten</td>
<td>


$2,807,500 </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

T13. Gary Pinkel, Missouri</td>
<td width="55">

Big 12</td>
<td>

$2,500,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

T13. Houston
Nutt, Ole Miss</td>
<td width="55">

SEC</td>
<td>

$2,500,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

T15. Mark Mangino, Kansas</td>
<td width="55">

Big 12</td>
<td>

$2,300,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

T16. Paul
Johnson, Georgia Tech</td>
<td width="55">

ACC</td>
<td>

$2,300,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

18. Greg
Schiano, Rutgers</td>
<td width="55">

Big East</td>
<td>

$2,250,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

T19. Frank
Beamer, Virginia Tech</td>
<td width="55">

ACC</td>
<td>

$2,100,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

T19. Butch
Davis, North Carolina</td>
<td width="55">

ACC</td>
<td>

$2,100,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

T21. June
Jones, SMU</td>
<td width="55">

C-USA</td>
<td>

$2,000,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

T21. Lane
Kiffin, TN (Gone to USC)</td>
<td width="55">


SEC</td>
<td>

$2,000,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

T21. Gene
Chizik, Auburn</td>
<td width="55">

SEC</td>
<td>

$2,000,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

24. Al Groh,
Virginia</td>
<td width="55">

ACC</td>
<td>

$1,875,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

25. Bo Pelini,
Nebraska</td>
<td width="55">

Big 12</td>
<td>

$1,851,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

T26. Jeff
Tedford, California</td>
<td width="55">

Pac-10</td>
<td>

$1,850,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

T26. Steve
Sarkisian, Washington</td>
<td width="55">

Pac-10</td>
<td>

$1,850,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

T28. Mike
Sherman, Texas A&M</td>
<td width="55">

Big 12</td>
<td>

$1,800,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

T28. Art
Briles, Baylor</td>
<td width="55">

Big 12</td>
<td>

$1,800,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

T28. Steve
Spurrier, South Carolina</td>
<td width="55">

SEC</td>
<td>

$1,800,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

T28. Mark
Dantonio, Michigan State</td>
<td width="55">

Big Ten</td>
<td>

$1,800,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

T32. Ralph
Friedgen, Maryland</td>
<td width="55">

ACC</td>
<td>

$1,750,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

T32. Mike
Leach, Texas Tech</td>
<td width="55">

Big 12</td>
<td>

$1,750,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

T34. Chip
Kelly, Oregon</td>
<td width="55">

Pac-10</td>
<td>

$1,500,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

T34. Joe
Paterno, Penn State</td>
<td width="55">

Big Ten</td>
<td>

$1,500,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

T34. Randy
Edsall, Connecticut</td>
<td width="55">

Big East</td>
<td>

$1,500,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

T34. David
Cutcliffe, Duke</td>
<td width="55">

ACC</td>
<td>

$1,500,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

T34. Randy
Shannon, Miami</td>
<td width="55">

ACC</td>
<td>

$1,500,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

T34. Jim
Leavitt, USF</td>
<td width="55">

Big East</td>
<td>

$1,500,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

40. Steve
Kragthorpe, Louisville</td>
<td width="55">

Big East</td>
<td>

$1,450,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

41. Bret
Bielema, Wisconsin</td>
<td width="55">

Big Ten</td>
<td>

$1,400,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

42. Ron Zook,
Illinois</td>
<td width="55">

Big Ten</td>
<td>

$1,350,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

T43. Dave
Wannstedt, Pitt</td>
<td width="55">

Big East</td>
<td>

$1,300,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

T43. Gary
Patterson, TCU</td>
<td width="55">

MWC</td>
<td>

$1,300,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

T45. Danny
Hope, Purdue</td>
<td width="55">

Big Ten</td>
<td>

$1,250,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

T45. Rick
Neuheisel, UCLA</td>
<td width="55">

Pac-10</td>
<td>

$1,250,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

T45. Pat Hill,
Fresno State</td>
<td width="55">

WAC</td>
<td>

$1,250,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

T45. Rich
Brooks, Kentucky</td>
<td width="55">

SEC</td>
<td>

$1,250,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

T49. Brian
Kelly, Cincinnati</td>
<td width="55">

Big East</td>
<td>

$1,200,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

T49. Jim
Grobe, Wake Forest</td>
<td width="55">

ACC</td>
<td>

$1,200,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

T49. Dan
Mullen, Mississippi State</td>
<td width="55">

SEC</td>
<td>

$1,200,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

52. Skip
Holtz, East Carolina</td>
<td width="55">

C-USA</td>
<td>

$1,160,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

T53. George
O'Leary, UCF</td>
<td width="55">

C-USA</td>
<td>

$1,150,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

T53. Paul
Rhoads, Iowa State</td>
<td width="55">

Big 12</td>
<td>

$1,150,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

T55. Dennis
Erickson, Arizona State</td>
<td width="55">

Pac-10</td>
<td>

$1,100,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

T55. Todd
Graham, Tulsa</td>
<td width="55">

C-USA</td>
<td>

$1,100,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

T55. Tom
O'Brien, N.C. State</td>
<td width="55">

ACC</td>
<td>

$1,100,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

T55. Greg
McMackin, Hawaii</td>
<td width="55">

WAC</td>
<td>

$1,100,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

T55. Dan
Hawkins, Colorado</td>
<td width="55">

Big 12</td>
<td>

$1,100,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

T55. Mike
Riley, Oregon State</td>
<td width="55">

Pac-10</td>
<td>

$1,100,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

T55. Bill
Snyder, Kansas State</td>
<td width="55">

Big 12</td>
<td>

$1,100,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

T55. Doug
Marrone, Syracuse</td>
<td width="55">

Big East</td>
<td>

$1,100,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

T55. Bobby
Johnson, Vanderbilt</td>
<td width="55">

SEC</td>
<td>

$1,100,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

64. Mike
Gundy, Oklahoma State</td>
<td width="55">

Big 12</td>
<td>

$1,050,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

65. Mike
Stoops, Arizona</td>
<td width="55">

Pac-10</td>
<td>

$1,025,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

T66. Frank
Spaziani, Boston College</td>
<td width="55">

ACC</td>
<td>

$1,000,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

T66. Dabo
Swinney, Clemson</td>
<td width="55">

ACC</td>
<td>

$1,000,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

T66. Tim
Brewster, Minnesota</td>
<td width="55">

Big Ten</td>
<td>

$1,000,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

T66. Jim
Harbaugh, Stanford</td>
<td width="55">

Pac-10</td>
<td>

$1,000,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

70. Tommy
West, Memphis</td>
<td width="55">

C-USA</td>
<td>

$950,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

71. Chris
Petersen, Boise State</td>
<td width="55">

WAC</td>
<td>

$900,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

T72. Bill
Stewart, West Virginia</td>
<td width="55">

Big East</td>
<td>

$800,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

T72. Larry
Fedora, Southern Miss</td>
<td width="55">

C-USA</td>
<td>

$800,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

T72. Steve
Fairchild, Colorado St</td>
<td width="55">

MWC</td>
<td>

$800,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

T72. Brady
Hoke, San Diego State</td>
<td width="55">

MWC</td>
<td>

$800,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

T76. Dave
Christensen, Wyoming</td>
<td width="55">

MWC</td>
<td>

$750,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

T76. Ken
Niumatalolo, Navy</td>
<td width="55">

Ind.</td>
<td>

$750,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

T76. Pat
Fitzgerald, Northwestern</td>
<td width="55">

Big Ten</td>
<td>

$750,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

T76. Mike
Locksley, New Mexico</td>
<td width="55">

MWC</td>
<td>

$750,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

T80. Kevin
Sumlin, Houston</td>
<td width="55">

C-USA</td>
<td>

$700,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

T80. Kyle
Whittingham, Utah</td>
<td width="55">

MWC</td>
<td>

$700,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

T82. Bronco
Mendenhall, BYU</td>
<td width="55">

MWC</td>
<td>

$650,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

T82. Stan
Brock, Army</td>
<td width="55">

Ind.</td>
<td>

$650,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

T82. Bill
Lynch, Indiana</td>
<td width="55">

Big Ten</td>
<td>

$650,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

T85. Paul
Wulff, Washington State</td>
<td width="55">

Pac-10</td>
<td>

$600,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

T85. Bob
Toledo, Tulane</td>
<td width="55">

C-USA</td>
<td>

$600,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

T85. Troy
Calhoun, Air Force</td>
<td width="55">

MWC</td>
<td>

$600,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

88. Al Golden,
Temple</td>
<td width="55">

MAC</td>
<td>

$575,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

89. Mark
Snyder, Marshall</td>
<td width="55">

C-USA</td>
<td>

$500,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

90. Mike
Price, UTEP</td>
<td width="55">

C-USA</td>
<td>

$475,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

91. Dick Tomey,
San Jose State</td>
<td width="55">

WAC</td>
<td>

$460,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

T92. Mike
Sanford, UNLV</td>
<td width="55">

MWC</td>
<td>

$450,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

T92. Tim
Beckman, Toledo</td>
<td width="55">

MAC</td>
<td>

$450,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

T94. David
Bailiff, Rice</td>
<td width="55">

CUSA 2</td>
<td>

$400,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

T94. Frank
Solich, Ohio</td>
<td width="55">

MAC</td>
<td>

$400,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

T94. Derek
Dooley, La. Tech</td>
<td width="55">

WAC</td>
<td>

$400,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

T94. Gary
Andersen, Utah State</td>
<td width="55">

WAC</td>
<td>

$400,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

T94. DeWayne
Walker, NM State</td>
<td width="55">

WAC</td>
<td>

$400,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

99. Mario
Cristobal, FIU</td>
<td width="55">

Sun Belt</td>
<td>

$390,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

T100. Chris
Ault, Nevada</td>
<td width="55">

WAC</td>
<td>

$375,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240">

T100. Howard
Schnellenberger, FAU</td>
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Sun Belt</td>
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$375,000</td></tr></tbody></table></div>

Pat Pat · Nov 2, 2010

1) Heart problems
2) Jerry Jones
3)Old crusty Michigan alumni
4) Joe Pa's uncertainty

We know Florida's a threat, see last year. We know that Alabama schools can take coaches away from Mississippi schools, see Tuberville. We know Michigan will likely fire Rich Rod when he loses to Ohio State. We know Joe Pa will retire sooner rather than later. We know Mullen is a native New Englander, and he has a young family right now.

Fortunately for us, no matter which of those shake out (if they do), there will be a good coach available. If we lose Mullen.....snatch Rich Rod up.

Colorado? Give me a break. Being in the SEC alone makes MSU a better job.

rye bread · Nov 2, 2010

Why couldn't Mullen become the Beamer or Joe Pa for MSU. We have little history of success.... We are selling more season tickets than we ever have...we are talking stadium expansion...we are winning with a quarter back that can only learn 6 plays... and we are cherry picking recruits right now. He is somewhat of a legend already and we as Bulldog Nation have put him there....We are supporting his plan and he is moving us forward. I don't see him leaving any time soon. With that being said someone wake me up from this dream before the Wolf gets me.

skip dog · Nov 2, 2010

if Mullen leaves, it won't be anything close to a lateral move.

and with this current administration, we should all have confidence in any coaching search

and having a juicy jumbo incentive laden package in your contract, we will be lining up the coaches (Crooms was given the juicy jumbos on the front end & we saw what happened, they had to get 20 ply tires for the golf cart....therefor Mullens juicy jumbo compensation was based on achievement)

MedDawg · Nov 2, 2010

NO WAYhe leaves for Colorado, even if it is ahistorically better program than MSU. They are currently paying Dan Hawkins about the same as we are payingMullen, and Hawkins was a headcoach at Boise State before Colorado and has been atColorado for 5 years (no State fan expects Mullen to stillbe making his current 1.1million 5 years from now). We are averaging a higher attendance than Colorado, get more TV money fromour conference, and CU is undergoing a huge athletic budget crunch, so we can EASILYbetter any offer that Colorado could come up with. I'm confident that we could pay up to $2.5 to 3 million per year, and that would put Mullen inthe Top 10-12in salaries.

I think Mullen will be happy to waitfor a big time offer like UF, UGA, or maybePenn State, LSU, or Michigan. Andas of now, none of those schools is looking for a coach.

Beretta.sixpack · Nov 2, 2010

that megan's family is from pittsburgh......also, her grandmother is dying of cancer up there too.....im not sure about them moving to starkville, but the fact that both are originally from the NE and megan's family specifically from pittsburgh, I could see him jumping ship to happy valley....that would be the one place i could see him leaving....

im also here to tell ya, he aint going to colorado....

one other thing, if its true that she is moving her family to starkville, well, we got a good chance of keeping him for a long, long time.....

on a side note, SS made a joke last night when he went ahead and addressed "what am I going to do if someone comes after Dan?"........"I am going to personally kidnap Megan until he agrees to stay in starkville"

klerushund · Nov 2, 2010

Colorado had a lot of financial instability. They've wanted to get rid of Hawkins for years but couldn't buy him out. Unless that has changed, I don't see how they can afford to win a bidding war for someone else's coach...

missouridawg · Nov 2, 2010

I married a CU grad... and they have TONS of problems internally at the AD there. Starting with money.

The main reason behind their move to the Pac-10 is that most of their fanbase actually lives on the West Coast, be it CA, WA, etc... and their current booster club funding is abysmal. Their belief is that by having Colorado play in front of their largest contingent of alums, itwill help increase funding into their program. You guys would be surprised at how many trust fund babies from Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle go to Colorado (lots from NYC as well).

I know a lot of people don't think you could get any worse than what we were when Mullen took over... but Colorado is and I personally think the majority of their fanbase doesn't really give a 17.

DowntownDawg · Nov 2, 2010

....Penn State, Notre Dame, Michigan, Ohio State, Florida, Alabama, USC, and LSU possibly.

In other words, I don't think he leaves Starkville after two years for just anybody. We can compete with most marginal programs salary wise (Colorado, for instance). I think that list expands the longer he is here. For instance, if the Georgia job came open after 4 years, I think he'd consider that.

Looking at that first list, the threats on there are Penn State (who knows when JoePa is done), Notre Dame (fallout from the death of the videographer?), LSU (unrest with Miles), and Florida (if Urbz calls it quits).

If one of those teams comes calling, that's just tough for us. Outside of that, I think we are ok for another year. But I am pulling for all those schools to do well. I am probably most worried about Penn State and LSU on that list. Hopefully JoePa sticks around.

Requiem For A Dawg · Nov 2, 2010

right now on PSU's list of candidates.

McDawg · Nov 2, 2010

I think PSU has someone in mind already for when JoePa goes. LSU, who knows but I don't think they'll come after Mullen and I don't think he'll go to another SEC school except maybe Florida. I don't see Tressel leaving anytime soon. I can see Rich Rod getting run off and Mullen could go there. Notre Dame would be intriguing if I were Mullen.

missouridawg · Nov 2, 2010

And he was under the impression that Penn State is going to hire from within when JoePa leaves. I have no clue about how in tune he is with the athletic department, but he did seem to know quite a bit bout the Nittany Lions.

therightway · Nov 2, 2010

If I were a young guy like Mullen, I would stay away from that one. It seems to be more like a job that a seasoned guy would take towards the end of his career because it seems like a coaching grave yard right now. The whole Penn State thing does have me worried but I would bet that they already have their guy. They have known that this day is coming.

Sutterkane · Nov 2, 2010

no way they take another shot at a spread coach. They wanna go I-formation and pound the rock.

dogfan96 · Nov 2, 2010

their recruiting is (specifically on defense)

zerocooldog · Nov 2, 2010

speculate to the contrary as much as you like

o_1984Dawg · Nov 2, 2010

I think Mullen is (1) confident enough to know he's going to be a hot commodity for a while and doesn't have to strike now, (2) loyal enough to stay 3 years, as that's what we would have given him if things weren't going well, and (3) smart enough to realise that there's a job like UGA, Michigan, PSU or LSU open almost every year.

The only way I think he'd leave this year is for his dream job, which I guess would be Florida after his time there. If you have 1 job circled you just can't pass it up and risk someone else getting it long term. After next year, who knows, but assuming we will pay him, I still wouldn't be surprised if he turned down LSU or UGA if he thought Meyer's future at UF was in doubt.

rye bread · Nov 2, 2010

ArlngtnDawg · Nov 2, 2010

We were one paid off preacher from having our first heisman trophy.

just sayin

Bulldog Backer · Nov 2, 2010

...he is slowly building this program into a competitor for National recognition, if not, National Championship caliber. Why should he leave, when he is on schedule to build a National Contender within a year or two? Use the metaphor of a sophomore basketball player who is deciding whether to enter the draft. He knows if he leave after his sophomore year he may get drafted late in the 2nd Round, or make good money in Europe. However, he knows he is a lot better than he was as a freshman and sees even more improvement as a junior. Would you go pro after 2 years given the improvement if money is just a way to keep score with your competitors?

We are getting more National recognition this year than at any time since the bull had his balls cut off, except this time it is all positive. That has had a very positive effect on recruiting. If signing day were today, we would have 7 of the Top Ten most wanted players in the State and the Top 6. We have had two excellent recruiting classes in a row. Two years from now, we won't have depth problems, we will simply reload just like the top programs do. Next year we return almost the entire starting offense, plus add more talent. We return most of the defense, with the exception of 2 senior linebackers and McPhee.

Mullen knows he is really good at what he does. Call it arrogance if you want, but he knows he is good and he knows what he can do. He knows developing a National Power at Mississippi State will count FAR MORE in the eyes of his colleagues than if he did it at a perennial powerhouse. I think he knows he has this program on a fast track to success, why leave it now? He already turned down a raise last year to give his assistants more pay. Money, to those who are MBA's and such is not a motivating factor, it is a demotivator if you aren't being paid for your value. I am certain Scott Stricklin knows the value of 15,000 more butts in seats at Davis-Wade than Croom had, and Croom was paid $2Million/year after the Liberty Bowl.

Center Z · Nov 2, 2010

Colorado? Sheeyut. The only place I could see truly making a successful run at Mullen would be Boston College, mainly because he's from the northeast. But I don't get the impression that Mullen cares about homesick type ********, so none of those schools really scare me. It's the type **** that goes down like: OU fires Stoops because he can't win a bowl game, then Brian Kelly leaves ND to go to OU, then Urban Meyer goes to ND, then Florida goes after Mullen. I know that's a dumbass scenario but you get my point.

GroveHard · Nov 2, 2010

For the record, I don't think Mullen jumps this year, but once the carousel gets cranked up, crazy **** happens. It's tough to anticipate the collateral damage. I think when and or if Miami and A & M begin to shop, things will get interesting for a lot of programs.

coach66 · Nov 2, 2010

Good Analysis on Mullen's Future Suitors

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