I've seen Pee-Wee football coaches make better in game decisions. In what year will we stop looking the other way for Mullen's sideline stupidity? Serious question.
Absolutely no reason at all Mullen should be fired this year. If we continue to struggle, he should be challenged to respond by making changes he (along with the administration) sees fit, though. If he doesn't respond and we fail to meet expectations next year, then I think firing should be a strong consideration.
I feel that the "coaching changes" excuse should have gone out the window after last season. Our major problems could not become any more obvious than they were made in 5 of the final 6 games. It shouldn't buy him any leeway at this point.
I'm with cadaver on this. We should not allow another coach to totally crash our program before making changes. I'm not saying Mullen is headed that direction at this point, just commenting on the overall state of our programs -- and how we continually shoot ourselves in the foot and extend rebuilds by keeping coaches 1+ years too long. Croom was the exception -- and it worked out the best of any recent coaching change...
Where would our basketball program be had Stans been out one year sooner -- where an incoming coach inherited all that talent on his first team? I don't even want to discuss baseball...
I agree with you to an extent... last year's meltdown was almost inexcusable and we have not seemed to rebound really since Auburn in '11. HOWEVER, to give credit where credit is due, Mullen has NOT fallen below "failing to meet expectations" at this point YET. Stansbury did (Stansbury's expectations were to go to the NCAAT... a very late season implosion sealed that fate)... but Stansbury was also offered incentive to leave (resign). I honestly believe if he had wanted to coach another year, he could have. I'm not ready to condemn Mullen, but what else can he do to right the ship in the eyes of the fanbase but make coaching changes after this year?
I'll be honest, this is a very tough position. You really can't throw Mullen to the wolves yet, because he is meeting expectations, but in no way, shape, or fashion exceeding them. However, just like you said, keeping him around one year too long could put us behind the 8 ball and in a very bad position from a coaching and recruiting perspective. So what's the call?
Wait he's terminable because of going 8-4 in 2012? What are you smoking? You people are putting way to much stock in judging our games based on how Ole Miss played the same teams.
I agree with you to an extent... last year's meltdown was almost inexcusable and we have not seemed to rebound really since Auburn in '11. HOWEVER, to give credit where credit is due, Mullen has NOT fallen below "failing to meet expectations" at this point YET. Stansbury did (Stansbury's expectations were to go to the NCAAT... a very late season implosion sealed that fate)... but Stansbury was also offered incentive to leave (resign). I honestly believe if he had wanted to coach another year, he could have. I'm not ready to condemn Mullen, but what else can he do to right the ship in the eyes of the fanbase but make coaching changes after this year?
I'll be honest, this is a very tough position. You really can't throw Mullen to the wolves yet, because he is meeting expectations, but in no way, shape, or fashion exceeding them. However, just like you said, keeping him around one year too long could put us behind the 8 ball and in a very bad position from a coaching and recruiting perspective. So what's the call?
You are a naive if you believe that Ole Miss recent success doesn't have a little bit to do with people being upset with Mullen. People point to us getting absolutely blown out by Alabama, LSU, and A&M last year (Bama and LSU on the road). Those teams destroyed everyone, except Ole Miss played them tough. How does getting blown out by 3 of the top 5 teams in the nation say we are in a decline? And you are right, the SEC's worst program in history is staring at its first losing season in 4 years after having 9 of 10 before that. Did you seriously think we would never have a losing season again? Heck we still have a decent shot at finishing 6-6.
So basically through that rant my point is this. People are absolutely judging our team off of how Ole Miss has played. If Ole Miss had gotten killed by those three teams last year, then our fans would have accepted that that is just what happens to teams that play them (like every other team). But because Ole Miss played them close, it was unacceptable that Mullen did not.
I am disappointed with this season so far, but no one expected us to be world beaters with a brand new secondary and brand new receivers. But I'm also not blind to see the talent that Mullen has coming back next year which is absolutely a credit to him.