So I was sitting here thinking there is no way Mullen would go to AZ....

[Dawgzilla]

And then I read THIS article:

http://azstarnet.com/sports/football/college/wildcats/article_43afa362-24b4-5652-ae54-338461d0e813.html

Sounds like Mullen is exactly the kind of guy they need.

Now, I'm not saying Mullen would go, but I've also been around long enough to know there is no telling what motivates a coach to change jobs. It seems highly unlikely to me that any school would be willing to pay over $2.5 million per year for a coach coming off a 6-6 season, but then you look at what Auburn paid Chizik to leave Iowa State. Arizona needs a cheerleader at head coach, and Byrne knows Mullen gives you that.

Mullen doesn't strike me as the kind of guy that would leave MSU in the middle of rebuilding, just to go to another school that needs to start rebuilding. But you never know....

 

[BudgetDawg]

assuming we finish 7-5 or even 6-6 and a bowl bid. "Look guys, I hired him at MSU and he's done a great job of proving himself as a head coach and turning that program around. He's taken them to two consecutive games which is a big accomplishment considering where they were at earlier in the decade. He's beaten his in-state rival three straight seasons, he's beaten storied programs like Florida, Michigan and Georgia. He got their fanbase energized which has culminated in increased Bulldog Club memberships, donations, facilities projects and impending stadium expansion. He's very similar to Chip Kelly, they're both offensive-minded New Hampshire guys and he even spent some time studying under Chip this past summer. Not to mention, he won 2 NC's as OC at Florida and coached an overall NFL #1 pick and a Heisman winner. He's recruited this area during his time at Utah and if you get him out of the SEC West and into the PAC-12, he'll have us contending for the conference championship."

If I were an Arizona booster listening to Byrne telling me this....I'd buy it.

 

[kimmer]

The same people that talk about loyalty and how mullen wouldn't leave in the middle of rebuilding, etc are the some of the same ones who would be calling for his head THIS VERY YEAR if things really went south and we finished with a losing record. Thus, any coach, anywhere has to keep that in mind when he contemplates his career path. Then you start thinking about how there has hasn't been an MSU coach that left starkville of his own accord since Darrell Royal the chirping already arising from the disappointing start this season. All of a sudden, a move doesn't seem like such a bad idea.

I think byrne would not hesitate to go after mullen if he decides he wants him and if so, I think mullen would at least listen to what he has to say.

 

[Sutterkane]

[No message]

 

[Dawgzilla]

What I question is whether he would leave in the middle of rebuilding, just to start a new rebuilding project. Leave MSU for an established Top 25 program? Sure, I get that. Leave for AZ?.....only if he has become discouraged in his ability to win at MSU.

 

[gravedigger]

as anyone who has worked for a boss that is supportive would consider such a thing, HOWEVER....

Chizzledick moved from the big whatever to the sec. ......big plus
He moved from the big whatever to an sec team who is in the upper half of the $$. WITHIN THAT CONFERENCE from one who was in the lower half......no bigger plus unless you are relating to a bigger budget SEC team.
Mullen is supported by his AD
Mullen is on the biggest stage of the college football universe, and in the best division inside that conference.
Mullen still has the upper hand on the instate rivaal, in the etcetra...etcetra..etcetra....
Mullen will have every opportunity, no matter how poorly MSU plays this year, to turn down every single coaching vacancy he wants, but even if not, waiting a couple of years on the ones he REALLY wants isnt too much to endure. (Penn State, Notre Dame, Ole Miss).