Sizing up the potential coaching moves. ...

[Shmuley]

If you've been around the pack any time, you know I love me some coaching carousel. Some of my favorite **** of the year. Never too early to speculate.

UGA may be getting ready to shake the limp dick. If they do, it's Muschamp, Harbaugh, Mullen. In that order.

Colorado has Malzahn as option one. Mullen not being discussed which tells me they already know he will turn it down.

Perusing the other conference pay sites, there is a ton of Mullen love. I say again, if he beats bama you can kiss his Starkville loving, Yankee hot wife having, lame foe nickname using, inexplicable 3 straight pass play calling *** goodbye.

 

[Shmuley]

If you've been around the pack any time, you know I love me some coaching carousel. Some of my favorite **** of the year. Never too early to speculate.

UGA may be getting ready to shake the limp dick. If they do, it's Muschamp, Harbaugh, Mullen. In that order.

Colorado has Malzahn as option one. Mullen not being discussed which tells me they already know he will turn it down.

Perusing the other conference pay sites, there is a ton of Mullen love. I say again, if he beats bama you can kiss his Starkville loving, Yankee hot wife having, lame foe nickname using, inexplicable 3 straight pass play calling *** goodbye.

 

[Todd4State]

Colorado probably will try to go after someone that's a west coast guy. Like a Nick Allotti from Oregon. I don't think that they will go after Petersen at Boise because that's where Dan Hawkins came from, although they should go after him. I do think that Mahlzahn would be a great fit for them though.

After doing some research, I found out that Oregon's OC Mark Helfrich used to coach at Colorado.

 

[57stratdawg]

Colorado isn't one of them neither is Minnesota.

Probably 5 of them are in the SEC, then the USC's Texas, Notre Dame, Ohio States, of the world. Until one of those jobs comes open and ESPN is reporting he's their top target, I'm not worried about him leaving. I would encourage you to adopt a similar philosophy.

 

[Shmuley]

and bama doubled down. Smart is too valuable to saban as a recruiter due to all the Georgia recruits he is responsible for getting. He appears to be the heir apparent.

 

[57stratdawg]

He was the top DC choice last year, but they couldn't get him. He went to UGA and started off coaching there (I believe). He has SEC connections and is a bright, young, coach.

I agree Todd, Smart is their guy.

 

[Todd4State]

If you're Kirby Smart, you would have to know that Richt is on the hot seat, and you would have to believe that if you went to Georgia for what amounts to be a lateral move in the first place as a DC there, that IF Richt gets fired, that they're probably not going to promote someone on the staff of a regime that they're not happy with.

Or you could stay with Saban, enjoy the fruits of being a NC DC for a year and then maybe wait for Richt to get fired and then take the HC job. If Richt happens to pull it together, which he won't, well then you stay the heir apparent at Bama.

 

[Shmuley]

See. Not a nice thing to read is it?

Anyway, I've been prepared for Mullen's eventual departure shortly after he was hired. There's no worry there. When he leaves, grasshopper and keenum will load up the juicys and go find us a great young replacement.

 

[KennyPowers2]

nah, I dont think he leaves if we beat BAMA this year. I like to think he actually likes it here and enjoys the challenge of turning MSU into a NC contender and Dynasty.........

 

[Shmuley]

nm

 

[57stratdawg]

But, I just think this year might be pretty uneventful.

I think Notre Dame MIGHT fire Kelley if they find some type of gross negligence in the death of camera kid. Georgia MIGHT make a move, but the rest of the season will probably decide that. I would put them at well below 50%.

Penn State maybe? Joe Pa final walks away. Illinois could come open? Texas A&M?

 

[Coach34]

Georgia's AD worked with Mullen at Fla when he was associate AD there. And I think there is more than 10 schools he would leave for:

Georgia (possible opening but not likely)
Fla
Tenn
Bama
LSU (possible opening but not likely)
Auburn

Fla State
Miami
NC
Boston College
NC State

Ohio State
Michigan
Penn State
Illinois
Nebraska
Iowa

Notre Dame

Oklahoma
Texas
Texas A&M
Texas Tech

USC
Oregon
Arizona
Arizona State
California
Washington


I think thats a pretty fair list of schools he would consider leaving State to go to. Mullen, like most coaches, wants to win a National Championship. And while I completely believe he is happy at State- I think he loves it here right now- he will be swayed by the chance to coach at a school with an easier path to win a National title. Those schools I mentioned could get the players in with Mullen at the helm, and compete for a title easier than Miss State can.

 

[studentdawg87]

That ain't going to happen. Those jobs aren't much more than a lateral move. However, I agree on most of the other schools you listed. Supposedly he won't take the Georgia job simply because of his relationship with Meyer.

 

[cpa07]

Georgia's AD worked with Mullen at Fla when he was associate AD there. And I think there is more than 10 schools he would leave for:

Georgia (possible opening but not likely)
Fla
Tenn
Bama
LSU (possible opening but not likely)
Auburn

Fla State
Miami
NC
Boston College
NC State

Ohio State
Michigan
Penn State
Illinois
Nebraska
Iowa

Notre Dame

Oklahoma
Texas
Texas A&M
Texas Tech

USC
Oregon
Arizona
Arizona State
California
Washington

I think thats a pretty fair list of schools he would consider leaving State to go to. Mullen, like most coaches, wants to win a National Championship. And while I completely believe he is happy at State- I think he loves it here right now- he will be swayed by the chance to coach at a school with an easier path to win a National title. Those schools I mentioned could get the players in with Mullen at the helm, and compete for a title easier than Miss State can.

Of all the schools mentioned, most of them are pretty stable right now. I don't see Mullengoing west, but Miami, Notre Dame, Penn State, and Texas A&M worry me the worst. </p>

The bottom line: we are winning. And why leave after this year? Take a look at the depth charts around the SEC West for next year. Here is a list of names you wont be seeing:

Ole Miss: Masoli, Powe, Summers, 8Senior Starters on Defense
Alabama: Mark Ingram, Julio Jones,Greg McElroy, Marcell Darius,
Arkansas: Ryan Mallett, probablly Greg Childs, DJ Williams,
Auburn: Cam Newton(probablly), 4 out of 5 SR on the OL, 2 SRat WR,and 6 Senior Starters on D (they will have to completely rebuild even if Cam stays)
LSU: they bring back a good core but still lost Nevis, Toliver, and 3 other starters on D

Oh, and by the way, we get Bama, LSU, and Ole Miss at home. Throw in that Malzahn is going to be a hot coaching candidate, and Mississippi State stands a chance to make some noise in the SEC West.</p>

 

[Thick]

That conference will be dead in less than 5 years, and those schools offer nothing that MSU doesn't already offer. The other big programs are just that, big programs where his name will just be added to a list of previous coaches. Pay Mullen $2.5mm per, and give him the facilities that he needs to continue to be successful, and by the end of his career he will retire rich, very successful, well respected for his accomplishments, and his name will define MSU football, and also name some athletic facilities after him.

 

[Topgundawg]

**

 

[Shmuley]

I think I see sarcasm hiding behind the multiple misspellings, and then it disappears. I smell a hint of subtle wit embedded within the blatant over-simplifications and concrete statements, and then it's lost. I've reached the conclusion, boys, that we may have an escapee from jortshorts in need of detox.

Coach has way to much class to just up and leave

 

[dawgstudent]

[No message]

 

[davatron]

Those schools I mentioned could get the players in with Mullen at the helm, and compete for a title easier than Miss State can.

Boston College, UNC, NC State, Washington, and ASU do not belong on the list.

 

[AssEndDawg]

There are two major things at play here. One is parity; due to population increases, youth football leagues, and general interest there are very few potential football players falling through the cracks these days, especially in the South. As the general talent level increases the division between the teams decreases. The second is what Bobby Bowden talked about when discussing the downfall of FSU. Teams that recruit nationally are getting marginally better talent but that is being canceled out some by the "free agent" mentality of the players. They are coming to these national schools to play for themselves where at MSU they are playing for MSU, Mississippi, their family, etc.

Now you take Notre Dame. Good money is a plus but you layer that with impossible expectations, a completely national recruiting effort without any real local draw, and what I think hurts them the most; no conference. A 6 foot 7 High School defensive back that grew up in the Mississippi Delta doesn't know anything about Notre Dame as a national power. What they get fed through ESPN is talk of great teams, yes, but also a lot of talk about conferences. BCS conference this and the SEC champion that and big hoopla about Big-12 versus PAC10 games. Notre Dame has also lost it's TV edge, they used to be the only team in the nation with every game televised. Now you can sit in front of the TV on Saturday and start watching SEC ball at 11a and never even look at another conference. Not a lot of people are turning the channel over to watch a bad ND team (unless you are going to watch them lose again).

Notre Damn seems like a trap job. It's a complete no-win situation which keeps getting proven over and over by some really good coaches. If I was in a good position to make a coaching move upward no way I take that job.

 

[TheStateUofMS]

Georgia's AD worked with Mullen at Fla when he was associate AD there. And I think there is more than 10 schools he would leave for:

Georgia (possible opening but not likely)
Fla
Tenn
Bama
LSU (possible opening but not likely)
Auburn

Fla State
Miami
NC
Boston College
NC State

Ohio State
Michigan
Penn State
Illinois
Nebraska
Iowa

Notre Dame

Oklahoma
Texas
Texas A&M
Texas Tech

USC
Oregon
Arizona
Arizona State
California
Washington


I think thats a pretty fair list of schools he would consider leaving State to go to. Mullen, like most coaches, wants to win a National Championship. And while I completely believe he is happy at State- I think he loves it here right now- he will be swayed by the chance to coach at a school with an easier path to win a National title. Those schools I mentioned could get the players in with Mullen at the helm, and compete for a title easier than Miss State can.

Coach I live in NC and have been to several NCSU games, and this was in the glory days of Phillip Rivers, and there would be no way he would go there. They have a nice little stadium. It's not very loud and I've been there sold out, saw them play Marcus Vick once, and I've been there when they played UNC and it didn't even feel like a rivalry. There is no passion up there. ACC country is basketball country except at places like Miami, FSU, and VT. There equivalent of the Dawg Walk is about a 50foot walk into the stadium past a fountain with about 500 fans standing around. They tailgate in gravel parking lots. It would not be the type of football fan support he gets here. There is no way he would move to NCSU, no way!

I see Texas Tech, Cal, Washington, Arizona State, and Arizona being lateral moves,with Illinois, and Boston College being downgrades. I would be concerned about a national power or a team up near New Hampshire like a Penn St or possibly Syracuse being people that might be able to steal him, but I really believe he likes it here and won't leave anytime soon.

I said when we hired him, for us to keep him, he needs to win and win fast, compete in the SECW at the latest year 3. He's competing in year 2 so he knows he can win and have success here. There's no reason for him to leave.

 

[DogFan75]

PENN STATE and this from the man himself.

 

[maroonmania]

for anything other than an upper tier program unless there is a personal reason (like Byrne wanting to get back to his hometown area in Arizona). And that would be the ONLY reason BC might belong on that list if he just really wanted to get back to the Northeast. But in addition to the schools you listed, I also cannot at all see Mullen leaving for teams like Illinois, Iowa, any team in the Big 12 other than TX and OU, or any team in the PAC 10 other than USC. NONE of those schools would be worth leaving the SEC for especially when Mullen is confident enough in his own abilities to know that better opportunities will be coming along. The Georgia scenario would be interesting in that if he got offered that job and took it he would be coaching right in the backyard of his long time mentor and friend Urban Meyer. Just wonder if he would want to go that route as long as Urban is still at Florida.

 

[Coach34]

some of you guys are calling NC State, Boston College, and Illinois "lateral moves"....but there is nothing lateral about them. Why? Because it is easier to get players to an NC State or an Illinois that could win the ACC or win the Big Ten than it is to get players to State that can win the SEC title. It's that simple.

It would be easier for Illinois to go through Michigan, Ohio State, Nebraska, and Penn State than it is for State to go through the teams of the SEC
It would be easier for NC State to win an ACC title as well and be a BCS team than it would be for us as well.

Thats why I think those schools are <span style="text-decoration:underline">possibilities</span>...in no way am I saying they are certainties that he would leave.

The path of least resistance to a title is easily more attractive.

 

[maroonmania]

becasuse while those places may or may not be totally lateral they would not be worth leaving MSU, assuming he enjoys it here with an apparent great relationship with the administration, and the SEC where he has already stated is THE place to be in college football. And while it might be SLIGHTLY easier to win a conference title at somewhere like Illinois (one title in recent time - 2001) or NC STate (no titles in recent time) than MSU its only a marginal difference otherwise those teams would win their conferences more often with the coaches they've already had. But they haven't and heck we were only six minutes away ourselves from the SEC title in 98 off of primarily a JLD defense and JJ running the ball. I truly believe Mullen will eventually be fielding better MSU teams than that.

I just think if Mullen continues to energize the fanbase, keep staffs like this year's around and escalates recruiting to where he routinely bring in guys like Brassell and Singleton, we will be competing with anybody anywhere especially if we snag a top notch QB prospect or two along the way. Some of those places you are mentioning are only marginally better than our situation in getting to a title and I just don't think Mullen will 'settle' for that UNLESS for some reason he privately really doesn't care for being in Starkville.

 

[57stratdawg]

are very good. I know we're not the best in country, but when comparing to other schools we're still very solid. The problem with MSU is that we get compared to the other big boys in the SEC.

I think if you compared MSU's facilities to Illinois, Texas Tech, Washington, NC State, you'll find MSU has equal, if not better, facilities.

 

[markymark.sixpack]

some of you guys are calling NC State, Boston College, and Illinois "lateral moves"....but there is nothing lateral about them. Why? Because it is easier to get players to an NC State or an Illinois that could win the ACC or win the Big Ten than it is to get players to State that can win the SEC title. It's that simple.

It would be easier for Illinois to go through Michigan, Ohio State, Nebraska, and Penn State than it is for State to go through the teams of the SEC
It would be easier for NC State to win an ACC title as well and be a BCS team than it would be for us as well.

Thats why I think those schools are <span style="TEXT-DECORATION: underline">possibilities</span>...in no way am I saying they are certainties that he would leave.

The path of least resistance to a title is easily more attractive.

if you were HC at Kentucky (our "twin" from the SECE) and youwere in year two with them, having similar success and fan support. Is thereany way you would leave the SEC forthose types of schools? Would you move to a lesser conference that receives less media interest? Especially for a similar salary?I wouldn't. I don't buy the "easier path" thing either, for this reason: An undefeated SEC team is going to the BCS title game, a one loss SEC team stands a 75% chance of going in anormal year. The SEC once sent a TWO LOSS team. In the ACC or Big-10, a one loss team is dead unless your name is Ohio State. Some years, an undefeated team may be passed over. That may change with the new Big 10, but that remains to be seen.

And I think people are saying lateral b/c of similar histories to ours (overall records, championships (post WWI), and Bowls).

 

[rebelrouseri]

adf

 

[maroonmania]

Byrne, I believe, was an Arizona State graduate with family ties in Arizona. What's big about it?

 

[Coach34]

What is going to be the catalyst for Mullen to leave?

Will it strictly be top-tier national programs? Or will it be a mid-level job from an ACC-Big Ten- Big 12-Pac-10 school with an easier path to the BCS?

Advantages for State:

He and his wife are very happy in Starkville
We play in the SEC
Good recruiting area
Fan base happy with going to a bowl with the occaisional special season thrown in
Administration supporting his every move

Disadvantages for State:

We play in the SEC
He is from the Northeast and could want to coach there eventually
Fever to win National Title


We are in good shape without a doubt right now. But only Dan can answer what it would take for him to leave- and all we can do is speculate.

Bottom line is this- when Mullen accepts another job- it will be because he thinks its an easier place to win a title. And that will be the only reason

 

[patdog]

Pretty sureshe's from Arizona and most of her family still lives there. So yeah, him going to Arizona was pretty much going home.</p>

 

[MurrayHewitt]

Assuming a general level of job satisfaction, you don't leave State for an Illinois, Iowa or Washington when you're a top 10 program talent which Mullen very well may be. You can get an Alabama, UF level job with success at State without another stop.

Furthermore, UNC, NC State and Texas Tech aren'tbetter alternatives in the near term.

 

[rebelrouseri]

asdf

 

[patdog]

He is from Oregon. You just didn't know about the Arizona ties.

 

[Stallion4Tiiigaaahhhs]

if you are moving from SEC to Big 12 ... well...Nebraska for one more year. They have tradition, money, fan base, and facilities. Outside of Bama, Florida, LSU, and maybe Auburn, those are all logical moves for any SEC coach and may be considered lateral by some in the 4 schools I mentioned. Of course, Coach Fran going from Bama to A&M made no sense to me at the time, but it happens.

 

[drunkernhelldawg]

I'm starting to believe it too. Although I disagree with the outrageously early sainting of him or any coach, he does have an incredibly effective way of communicating with all stratas of the community and the media. He is a good recruiter. He can flat-out coach. Players love and respect him. He makes the game fun. He is a naturally honest person, which I think is important because it gives credibility to what he does and what he says. He would never prepare to a lesser extent than was possible, unlike some previous coaches we have had. If his personal problems affected his performance, he would take a leave of absence or resign.

I trust him to get the offense going. Maybe we'll even be competitve or win in Tuscalousa.

That being said, I think it's a mistake to overdo a revision of his contract. I won't mention any names but we have cost ourselves a lot of money and time by going overboard on contract extensions. I just don't think it's necesary or smart.

I would also like to mention that this is one of the more interesting threads on this topic that I've seen. I especially like the top part of it, before Coach34 got everybody arguing about his list.

 

[rickPleasac]

Those schools I mentioned could get the players in with Mullen at the helm, and compete for a title easier than Miss State can.

Boston College, UNC, NC State, Washington, and ASU do not belong on the list.

ASU was a last minute David Boston TD from at least a share of the National Championship. They were the #2 team in the nation going into that Rose Bowl Game, and they would've been the only undefeated team in the nation after #3 Florida beat #1 Florida State in the Sugar Bowl.