The dramatic recruiting posts in this board are like eavesdropping on a middle

[horshack.sixpack]

school girl sleepover.

1) I think Mullen trusts his need/talent evaluations over any consensus rankings and he's done quite well with it.

2) there is nothing "unforgivable" about losing a recruit to Saban. Every single class of his has won at least one natty.

3) independent of how UM does I'm forever thankful that I'm not part of a self-important bunch of folks whose self worth is directly tied to "winning" at recruiting so much so that they pay enough to play the game for top recruits and then pretend that something so truly magical happened with he hiring of a former Arky state and girls basketball coach that their program was just irresistible all of a sudden.

 

[RecSportsFootballCollege]

+1

 

[tatedog]

Solid, well thought out post, but it really fell short of delivering on the girl sleepover premise.

 

[karlchilders.sixpack]

+1

This place has gone full Fife.

 

[TBone.sixpack]

Good post.

 

[DawgatAuburn]

I can go with #2 and #3 but #1 doesn't appear to be by his own choice. Mullen has consistently failed to close on in-state recruits, seeing them choose Bama (OK that's understandable), Auburn, Ole Miss and others. Sure, no one gets all their top targets, but it SEEMS like we get fewer than the norm. The question is why? Do we just not have a good product? Well, results would seem to say otherwise. Good fanbase who attends games? check. Facilities? Seem to be on par with others, behind a few others. The overall setting? Not great but there are worse. So what about the effort we put into recruiting and/or the methods we employ? People who follow it a lot closer than me (which is a lot of people) insinuate that there may be issues here. When you see our results time after time, you have to think that might be the case. Mullen can't sell himself well enough to get another job. How's he supposed to sell his program to someone else?

 

[tatedog]

Those last two sentences will leave a mark.

 

[fishwater99]

I can go with #2 and #3 but #1 doesn't appear to be by his own choice. Mullen has consistently failed to close on in-state recruits, seeing them choose Bama (OK that's understandable), Auburn, Ole Miss and others. Sure, no one gets all their top targets, but it SEEMS like we get fewer than the norm. The question is why? Do we just not have a good product? Well, results would seem to say otherwise. Good fanbase who attends games? check. Facilities? Seem to be on par with others, behind a few others. The overall setting? Not great but there are worse. So what about the effort we put into recruiting and/or the methods we employ? People who follow it a lot closer than me (which is a lot of people) insinuate that there may be issues here. When you see our results time after time, you have to think that might be the case. Mullen can't sell himself well enough to get another job. How's he supposed to sell his program to someone else?

We pay Top 15 money to our coach, but he isn't a Top 15 coach... Mullen is recruiting like a Top 40 coach, we needs a pay-cut.
Stars really do matter and we just can't get enough of them in Svegas....

 

[TheStateUofMS]

The higher rated recruits wanna "feel the love" from coaches, students and the community.

When we recruit guys, no matter how highly ranked they are, they hear, "you have to come in and work your *** off, and we'll develop you into the best you can be and you'll be successful in football and/or in the work force."

What we say in authentic, genuine, gets us high character guys who are talented and work hard, but it's not going to get us the elite guys who are "shown the love" everywhere else.

Do I wanna be a rockstar, or think I will be, or go somewhere where I have to prove my self worth first, red shirt and be forgotten for 2 years before I make an impact?

Also, I am a firm believer Mullen not denying rumors he is looking around has come home to roost. This is being used against us and it's killing us. I read where a recruit, and I'll try and find it said, "I like Miss St even if Coach Mullen is the coach there or not." That said it all for me.

 

[tatedog]

Did anyone say anything about our fans being too mean to Ole Miss or c34 being too mean to Dan Mullen?**

 

[GhostOfJackie]

school girl sleepover.

1) I think Mullen trusts his need/talent evaluations over any consensus rankings and he's done quite well with it.

2) there is nothing "unforgivable" about losing a recruit to Saban. Every single class of his has won at least one natty.

3) independent of how UM does I'm forever thankful that I'm not part of a self-important bunch of folks whose self worth is directly tied to "winning" at recruiting so much so that they pay enough to play the game for top recruits and then pretend that something so truly magical happened with he hiring of a former Arky state and girls basketball coach that their program was just irresistible all of a sudden.

You know good and well he would rather take these most guys that are 4-5 stars than a 3 star that passes the "Mullen evaluation". Quit letting Mullen off the hook for shitting the bed in recruiting.

I'm also glad I'm not a part of that bunch, but I would damn sure switch this 2016 class with them right now. Pending a crippling NCAA punishment, they have the talent to make us look silly for the next few years.

 

[Hump4Hoops]

I agree with 2 and 3, but 1 is irrelevant here.

It's not that he's ignoring these top recruits and focusing on his 3 stars. He's actively trying to pick up these 4 and 5 start guys that he has evaluated/needs, but he's just failing to bring them in. I'm glad he has had success with 3 star guys in the past, but that has no effect on the fact that he's missing on guys that he wants the most.

 

[aTotal360]

Line up Little, Tunsil, Munoz, and Eiland. I'm taking Eiland.**

 

[BigLeagueChew]

I am impressed (and almost in awe) of how well you toe the party line.

 

[horshack.sixpack]

I think we all agree that he'd be stupid to ignore the top talent, however, I think in cost/benefit analysis getting them just isn't "worth" whatever it is costing at the moment. Maybe that is Dan doesn't want to play. Maybe we have money guys who find self worth outside of recruiting and simply won't spend the going rate because it isn't the most important thing on their list of things to do with their money. The list of maybes is endlist. The only certainty is that the process is dirty and UM is wallowing in it because they need to do things to feel adequate in ways that most "MSU types" simply don't need.

 

[FlotownDawg]

The way Dan recruits and "coaches up" lightly recruited players will result in us winning between 6 and 8 games per year every year. We'll beat the crappy teams and lose to the good ones. Some of us are content with that. Others would like to strive higher. But until either Mullen learns to recruit more elite players or finds another job, that's the way it's going to be.

 

[Junction John]

You've hit one of the major points here.

I think we all agree that he'd be stupid to ignore the top talent, however, I think in cost/benefit analysis getting them just isn't "worth" whatever it is costing at the moment. Maybe that is Dan doesn't want to play. Maybe we have money guys who find self worth outside of recruiting and simply won't spend the going rate because it isn't the most important thing on their list of things to do with their money. The list of maybes is endlist. The only certainty is that the process is dirty and UM is wallowing in it because they need to do things to feel adequate in ways that most "MSU types" simply don't need.

He doesn't. But it's not because he's mr. high and mighty and morally supreme, it's more about Dan wanting to keep his nose clean for when one of the jobs on his wish list come calling. And there is no doubt that he is listening when they call. That's a fact, 'shack.

I believe Hugh Freeze is happy and wants to be at Ole Miss. I don't think he wants to go anywhere else. Isn't it proven every year when his name is NOT bandied about in coaching circles? That's because he shuts that **** down when they call, and so that when a reporter calls Miami and says "who all are you talking to?" they don't even waste time mentioning Freeze. But they sure can say Dan Mullen without fear of reproach, can't they?

Isn't it proven every year when Freeze goes 'all out' in recruiting? He turns his head to all the shenanigans, because he knows how important it is for the school to sign these good players. Because he knows he will be there, and he will get credit for being a good coach when they succeed. Dan, on the other hand... not so much.

I think things would change if Dan wanted to be here badly enough, but unless that changes, we are in a death loop of "pretty good".

 

[was21]

If we win 6 to 8 games per year every year, he will stay as long as he wants even if some are not content

 

[Old Fart Dawg]

If we win 6 to 8 games per year every year, he will stay as long as he wants even if some are not content

This is true .....
As long as he manages to have a 9-10 win season every few years, and has some success against the archrival.

 

[Sack N City]

Mullen is the best coach since McKeen

In this day of instant gratification, a number of people can't see past the next day.
He is the best coach since McKeen. Look at the records and see.

Mullen is good coach. For example, Chris Relf was well below average QB before Mullen came. Mullen turned him into a workable SEC QB. Look at Dak's improvement.

And Mullen has taken steps to improve where we have historically been weak: Recruiting outside Mississippi. With Sirmon, we have the opportunity to expand our recruiting base beyond the few states that we get players from. Same thing with Buckley. That is what we need. Two coaches who were in the "league."

Also, Mullen is learning. He does not show his arrogance as much. Mullen probably knows better than to chew out Sirmon in front of a crowd like Mullen would do Diaz. (Sirmon just might knock him out. He did play 7 years with the Titans.)

Admittedly, Mullen screwed up this year by flirting with Miami. Hopefully, he learned from that experience and he will not try that again.

Next year is not going to be great. But we should be able to win about 8 games in 2016. Unlike last year, we have a number of returning starters.

Miles, Saban and Malzahn will be gone in a few years. The SEC west will not be as strong then.

So look past tomorrow. We know tomorrow is probably not going to be a good day. So don't panic if it is not a good day.

 

[Junction John]

He's a good coach, no doubt. He's just not fully committed to MSU to go all in on recruiting. It's possible, he just won't do it.

 

[HD6]

Who is Zak?

 

[DawgatAuburn]

According to Jim Ellis, he is our quarterback sometimes.

 

[FlotownDawg]

I don't believe this is true

If we win 6 to 8 games per year every year, he will stay as long as he wants even if some are not content

If Ole Miss keeps recruiting at a high level and competing for SEC West championships, and whips us in the Egg Bowl almost every year, people in high places will not be content with us going 7-5 and playing in the Music City or Liberty Bowl each year. There is no reason we shouldn't be on a level playing field with our in-state rival. If they start kicking our *** not only in recruiting, but on the field as well, Dan will eventually pay with his job.

 

[ChinaDogSunflower]

I think this killing us. Mullen is a very matter-of-fact kind of guy and that isn't what these big time croots like to hear.

If he would just tell some of these guys that he needs them for once, that they are an integral part of what is missing from our team, they might come to Starkvegas and help build something that has never been done before, but until then we will continue to flip recruits from the American conference

 

[BossDawg78]

Admittedly, Mullen screwed up this year by flirting with Miami. Hopefully, he learned from that experience and he will not try that again.




LOLOLOLOL Yeah good luck with that.

 

[Sack N City]

Calling him Zak is the result of my early dementia. Unfortunately it is not the first time I have said Zak.