Mississippi State head coach Dan Mullen gets his name floated around each time a college football head coaching vacancy pops open.
Despite an average eight-year tenure as the Bulldogs head coach, the Mississippi State brass feels like they have one of the best head coaches in all of the land.
Source: Dan Mullen and Mississippi State are working on a contract extension. Mullen makes an average of $4.5 million through '18.
— Pete Thamel (@SIPeteThamel) December 7, 2016
Since taking over at MSU in 2009, Mullen boasts a 60-42 record. Not too shabby, but probably not worthy of all the love he gets showered with.
Mullen coaches in the SEC. There are higher expectations. His slate is much tougher slate on an annual basis, but he has rarely produced a team capable of reaching a title game in the premiere conference in college football.
There has been just one season where the Bulldogs reached 10 wins under Mullen, and that season he had that Dak Prescott guy at QB.
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| Year | Record |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 5-7 |
| 2010 | 9-4 |
| 2011 | 13-7 |
| 2012 | 8-5 |
| 2013 | 7-6 |
| 2014 | 10-3 |
| 2015 | 9-4 |
| 2016 | 5-7 |
Dan Mullen still coach at State? Is he still the most overrated coach in the history of the SEC? Ok, it checks out. https://t.co/P7YYn6icIi
— Merry Cambro to all (@CambroLiving) November 7, 2016
Sure, it's easy to find tweets from disgruntled fans from any college football team across the country, but Mullen isn't likely to keep cashing big checks as an SEC head coach without better results.
To be one of the top coaches in the country, Mullen has to consistently compete and beat its SEC competition. The coach can't afford to lose to teams like South Alabama, anymore. And he might need to beat Miami of Ohio in the St. Petersburg Bowl. Why?
I'm gonna say it and some may disagree but Coach Dan Mullen is overrated. Had @15_DakP last year. Now he's being exposed for the coach he is
— Robert Serrano (@StateDawgRob) September 5, 2016
The fan base and general alma mater aren't the athletic decision makers or the program's boosters, but their patience levels at 'football' schools aren't usually all that separated.
If this team is going to turn the corner it has to beat the teams it should beat. A win over a very average Miami of Ohio (6-6) squad isn't going to make it all better, but it could serve as a nice boost of momentum heading into big-time recruiting periods and ultimately the 2017 season.
The game may not seem overly meaningful, but this fan base clings to its reputation. A loss in St. Petersburg and a slow start next fall may be enough to cut Mullen's extension short.
