If and when we fire Mullen ...

[RocketDawg]

Hudspeth should not be the heir apparent. He certainly should be looked at very closely, but we should also look at Kliff Kingsbury and a few others. Kingsbury makes less money than Mullen, so a raise might make him come. Of course, we might not want to pay a coach so much any more until he's proven himself ... that may have been a mistake. But Hudspeth isn't the only one ... there are options.

Anyway, if and when we get a new coach, he doesn't have to be a Mississippi boy, or even from the south, to recruit and coach well. Look at Saban and Miles ... both from the north, both recruit very well, and both coach well. Alabama and Louisiana kids are much the same as those in Mississippi. Mullen's recruitment problems, and coaching problems, has nothing to do with where he's from ... it's something else, and I'm not sure what it is. Maybe he just doesn't know how to coach ....

 

[patdog]

There is no way Kliff Kingsbury leaves his alma mater in the Big 12 to come to MSU. I really don't understand why people keep bringing his name up. Of course I would have thought the same thing about Bret Bielema leaving Wisconsin for Arkansas this time last year. But I think we've seen since then that things weren't exactly hunky dory between Bielema and the administration or fans up there.

 

[121Josey]

Nothing to see here. Kingsbury isn't leaving TTech for atleast the next 5 years.

Coaches from NE US don't understand southerners. If you have a name like Bama, LSU, or Florida, they'll come despite the coach.

 

[Strike.sixpack]

Pull Kingsbury from his alma-mater and a higher athletic budget? That would be a very difficult sell. Maybe spending time on the others would be a more appropriate use of time and resources. Worth a call though in a few years maybe.

 

[engie]

There is no way Kliff Kingsbury leaves his alma mater in the Big 12 to come to MSU. I really don't understand why people keep bringing his name up. Of course I would have thought the same thing about Bret Bielema leaving Wisconsin for Arkansas this time last year. But I think we've seen since then that things weren't exactly hunky dory between Bielema and the administration or fans up there.

Exactly.

Make a realistic list of candidates -- and I can still realistically show why I think Hud is the best option.

There's a distinct reason to give it to a homegrown guy who considers it HIS destination job who has pride in it -- and wants to make it the best it's ever been. That's a more powerful motivator and, as Freeze has shown, plays better in recruiting than "let's win here in this hellhole real quick so we can jump to the next big thing". That's what MSU is to every hotshot name you can come up with -- except Hudspeth.

 

[patdog]

Agree that if we're hiring a coach after this season, Hud is probably at or near the top of the list if realistic candidates. I think we win 5 or 6 games and aren't making a hire though.

 

[was21]

If there was no interweb, there would be no discussion of any of this. Hudspeth should be considered along with others if and when that time comes. I haven't given up on Mullen as it stands...somewhat disappointed but would not be ready to pull the trigger at the end of this year regardless of what happens, barring some total meltdown or off field scandal which I'm unaware of. I've seen some sad times with State football, really sad, and this time doesn't even come close to those times.

 

[campshelbydog842003]

1- HUD
2- Petrina
3- leach

 

[was21]

Interesting that all three have baggage

 

[RocketDawg]

If there was no interweb, there would be no discussion of any of this. Hudspeth should be considered along with others if and when that time comes. I haven't given up on Mullen as it stands...somewhat disappointed but would not be ready to pull the trigger at the end of this year regardless of what happens, barring some total meltdown or off field scandal which I'm unaware of. I've seen some sad times with State football, really sad, and this time doesn't even come close to those times.

Yeah, I totally agree. And I've seen some pretty bad times for MSU football too (back to the 60s), and the way things are now is absolutely phenomenal now compared to then. I honestly never thought I'd see the day when MSU FB had come as far as it has. Our stadium, while not huge by today's standards, is truly one of the nicest around (will be after the new part opens next year).

Most on here, or the vocal ones anyway, seem to want Hudspeth to be hired. I have to wonder if the ones that really count, namely Stricklin and Keenum, share those views. And who would they get if Mullen is ever fired? As far as I know, no poster on here has any input on who is hired.

 

[esplanade91]

You're right. If/when we hire a new coach it will be rumored to be some of the hottest names in coaching with public comments about how they want the job blah blah blah and then we'll introduce an assistant from Iowa State.

Hud deserves the job, is the most qualified for THIS job, and is the favorite for the job but I have no faith he'll ever get it.

Are there better coaches out there than Hud we could get? Definitely so, but I don't know that they're as good of a fit. He's a Mississippi boy who recruits Mississippi fantastically at a school only barely better than some SWAC schools and he'd NEVER leave. Most importantly we wouldn't have to pay him our entire budget. We could also afford competent assistants, and competent assistants would like him enough to want to join his staff. I was all about Mullen being a d-bag when he was OUR d-bag but now he just seems like a dick who truly thinks he's doing a great job this season. Now the allure of him being a d-bag just pisses me off. His loyalty to awful coaches and ability to run anyone decent away will be the death of his career.

Hud has signed a MGCCC kid every year he's been at ULL. I truly believe we'd get Steve Campbell as Assistant HC which is almost as exciting as getting Hud to me.

 

[CoolDawg]

If there was no interweb, there would be no discussion of any of this. Hudspeth should be considered along with others if and when that time comes. I haven't given up on Mullen as it stands...somewhat disappointed but would not be ready to pull the trigger at the end of this year regardless of what happens, barring some total meltdown or off field scandal which I'm unaware of. I've seen some sad times with State football, really sad, and this time doesn't even come close to those times.

Times have really changed a lot from the way they used to be. Never in the past have we had a coach making $2.5 million. With that type money, we should demand more than we ever have from past coaches. We pay higher ticket prices, parking prices, concession prices, and Bulldog Club dues so that Mullen can live like royalty. He needs to earn his pay and he deserves all the criticism that he is receiving. I don't see things getting better with him for the simple fact that he can't recruit. From what I hear, he is universally disliked among the high school coaching ranks in this state, so I don't foresee MSU ever having better than an 11th-14th signing class. With that type recruiting, we better get used to being at or near the bottom of the SEC.

 

[esplanade91]

I have friends on 3 different coaching staffs, one in Louisiana, one in Mississippi, and one in Alabama. All 3 have prospects getting at least SOME sort of recognition from various SEC schools and they won't give Dan the light of day, so they tell me. They tell me Sumlin is the coolest guy of everyone though. Great! And we thought adding them would get US into Texas.

 

[RocketDawg]

Times have really changed a lot from the way they used to be. Never in the past have we had a coach making $2.5 million. With that type money, we should demand more than we ever have from past coaches. We pay higher ticket prices, parking prices, concession prices, and Bulldog Club dues so that Mullen can live like royalty. He needs to earn his pay and he deserves all the criticism that he is receiving. I don't see things getting better with him for the simple fact that he can't recruit. From what I hear, he is universally disliked among the high school coaching ranks in this state, so I don't foresee MSU ever having better than an 11th-14th signing class. With that type recruiting, we better get used to being at or near the bottom of the SEC.

When I was there, tickets were $5, parking was free, and there was no tailgating. Of course, with inflation, the tickets are about the same price. But all in all, I like it a lot better than now. Back then, we never filled the 30,000 seat stadium. But again, we never had games there ... there were all (except homecoming and maybe a Richmond Spiders game) in Jackson ... an absurd thing to do for the students.

I'm not as enamored with Mullen as I once was. I guess I keep hoping that he'll really bring those championships he promised, but it looks less likely now. But you're right ... a $2.5M coach should be having a 9-3, 10-2 team for us by now, even in the West. And we don't. I don't know if a new coach, and specifically "Hud" is the answer or not, but I seriously doubt that it is.

 

[mcdawg22]

Why should 2.5 put us at 9 or 10 wins? This time next year that will be 13th in the conference. Freeze and Malzahn will be making more.
http://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/2013/sec-head-coaching-salaries-after-muschamp-raise/

 

[noxdog]

Rocket,

This is what drives me crazy, IF it did come too pass that we are in that situation, I would be pissed if we did not hire the BEST(for engie) candidate no matter where or who he is. If it's rubber stamped, I'm probably out. I have never seen us so ready to run off a coach that has lead us to 3 straight bowls (and a chance at 4) so fast. Wait, you say that we have not been to 3 bowls in a row, ever before? Really?


Damn, the hud guzzling is creepy and old.

 

[olblue.sixpack]

I have friends on 3 different coaching staffs, one in Louisiana, one in Mississippi, and one in Alabama. All 3 have prospects getting at least SOME sort of recognition from various SEC schools and they won't give Dan the light of day, so they tell me. They tell me Sumlin is the coolest guy of everyone though. Great! And we thought adding them would get US into Texas.

Glad to see three high school clipboard holders are weighing in. Mullen should be worried.

 

[noxdog]

Blue

It never changes. Barring a complete melt down and we fire DM, I'm out, probably. History is doomed to repeat itself.


Any minute expect a diatribe from engine or someone on how I'm wrong I should not settle for anything but the best. 3 Bowls in 4 years don't get you much these days.

 

[olblue.sixpack]

It never changes. Barring a complete melt down and we fire DM, I'm out, probably. History is doomed to repeat itself.


Any minute expect a diatribe from engine or someone on how I'm wrong I should not settle for anything but the best. 3 Bowls in 4 years don't get you much these days.

I think it would be interesting to see how much excellence is produced from the crowd that demands so much excellence from a damn football coach.

Based on how much time they spend bitching about MSU sports every day, I'm guessing not much.

 

[engie]

When you've got at least 2 poor ole MSU fans obsessed with practically every post -- and threatening to leave the fanbase because 13-22 with signs of flatlining is NOT good enough -- you know you are doing something right. Can't believe you didn't say 17 it when Cohen was rubber stamped? Or did you?

Only 70 of 120 teams go to bowls every year. By damn, that makes our coach elite!!1!11

 

[horshack.sixpack]

Exactly.

...There's a distinct reason to give it to a homegrown guy who considers it HIS destination job who has pride in it -- and wants to make it the best it's ever been. That's a more powerful motivator and, as Freeze has shown, plays better in recruiting than "let's win here in this hellhole real quick so we can jump to the next big thing". That's what MSU is to every hotshot name you can come up with -- except Hudspeth.

Felker is available.***

 

[olblue.sixpack]

It never changes. Barring a complete melt down and we fire DM, I'm out, probably. History is doomed to repeat itself.


Any minute expect a diatribe from engine or someone on how I'm wrong I should not settle for anything but the best. 3 Bowls in 4 years don't get you much these days.

Nox, the ignore option is a wonderful tool to block out the noise.