Fansided

Dan Mullen reportedly interviewed for Miami Hurricanes job

By Rucker Haringey

Nov 15, 2014; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Dan Mullen reacts during a press conference following their 25-20 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 15, 2014; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Dan Mullen reacts during a press conference following their 25-20 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mississippi State is primed to lose football coach Dan Mullen as he looks for an easier route to the College Football Playoff

Mississippi State head football coach Dan Mullen might be the most frequently rumored coaching candidate in all of college football. It seems that Mullen has surveyed the landscape of the rugged SEC West and has come to the conclusion that the Bulldogs face too much of an uphill climb to reach the heights of Alabama, LSU and possibly even Ole Miss.

The most recent job that Mullen is rumored to be in the mix for is the vacant Miami Hurricanes gig made available by the firing of Al Golden. Mullen reportedly interviewed with the Hurricanes and continues to be a factor in their job search. This news shouldn’t surprise anyone because Mullen’s name is almost a required listing on each potential coaching hire list at this point.

The question for Mullen isn’t whether or not he’ll leave Starkville, but when. You don’t put yourself in the mix for every big job on the market unless you’re looking hard for a new gig. Mullen has clearly decided that his future doesn’t lie with the Bulldogs.

It’s a completely understandable conclusion to draw. Despite Mississippi State’s recent investments in football facilities and budgets for the program they still remain substantially behind their competitors. Mississippi State is a good job, but it’s not a great job. The regular challenge of competing with football titans LSU and Alabama is likely something Mullen doesn’t want to deal with any longer.

The ascension of Ole Miss’ program under Hugh Freeze has only made things worse for Mullen in Starkville. Freeze has made the Rebels a big time player on the national recruiting scene and Mullen’s Bulldogs have struggled to keep pace. The recent 38-27 win for Freeze’s Rebels in Starkville represented the first Ole Miss road win in the Egg Bowl since 2003. That served as sobering notice for Mullen about the true place of Mississippi State in the SEC West pecking order.

Critics of Mullen would say he’s a coward, but the more objective among fans will credit him for making a logical decision. He’s going to find it nearly impossible to compete for a national title on a regular basis in the SEC West. In fact, he’s much more likely to have his program’s performance backslide into mediocrity. It’s not unimaginable that Mullen could overstay his welcome in Starkville and be looking for a job for a different reason in a few seasons. He’s smart to get out while the getting’s good.

So look for Mullen to continue to be rumored with every major college job out there. He might not land a new gig this year, but he’ll keep looking. Mullen will be on the first train out of Starkville, and the SEC West, as soon as he’s presented with a quality opportunity.

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