CC - Where we stand Part II

Submitted by Ron Utah on

Part I: Jim Harbaugh, John Harbaugh, Les Miles, Todd Graham, Jim McElwain, Craig Bohl.

Can the guy on the left beat the guy on the right?

In two weeks, we'll know with a high degree of certainty if Brady Hoke has ANY chance of keeping his job. A win against Michigan State keeps him in contention, a loss virtually guarantees what already seems inevitable: Hoke is replaced before bowl season. Of course, a win at Michigan State appears...how do I say this nicely...like a stretch of the imagination?

So let's get back to the CC candidates.

Dan Mullen, HC Miss. State

  • Track Record: B. Yes, the guy has turned Mississippi State into the #1 team in the country as of now. Still, he's 19-24 in SEC play, has never finished higher than 4th in the SEC West, and it has taken him six seasons to get here.

  • Michigan Ties: C+. No Michigan ties, but born in PA (and went to Ursinus), and has coached at Syracuse, Notre Dame, and Bowling Green, though he's been out of the midwest since 2004.

  • Recruiting: B. Mullen's weak spot may be recruiting, where he has only had middling classes. Yes, Miss. State caveats apply, but Mike Stoops has done better at UK in a shorter time.

  • Chances/Loyalty: B-. Florida seems to be the wild card here; if they don't offer him the job and we do, I think Mullen is Blue. That said, I think Florida will offer him the job.

  • Demeanor: B+. Just 42 years young, Mullen has matured quite a bit on in Starkville, and has grown from a guy that seemed all tactics into what appears to be a well-rounded head coach.

  • Three Phases: A-. Can make any QB look good, and is now demonstrating that he's not just a “finesse” coach—Miss. State's defense is tough and physical, and the offense will smack you, too.

  • Roster Fit: B. Yes, Mullen is spready, but it's lots of the inside zone stuff we run now, and it's a more physical roster than many HUNH guys throw out there. He would probably need a new QB for his system.

  • OVERALL GPA: 3.00 (B). I'd certainly want DC Geoff Collins to come with Mullen. If he does, I think this could be an OUTSTANDING (not using “Tremendous” until further notice) hire.

Mark Stoops, HC Kentucky

  • Track Record: B-. Good: UK's only loss this season is in overtime to Florida. Bad: Only in 2nd year as HC, and only wins in year one were vs. Miami (NTM) and Alabama State. Pretty strong track record as DC.

  • Michigan Ties: B-. Born in Youngstown, OH. Played at Iowa and was a GA there from '88-'91. Otherwise, has been south (Kentucky thinks they're in the south) other than a three-year stop in Wyoming. Is recruiting midwest now.

  • Recruiting: B+. Not enough data yet, but damn, pulled in the #20 2014 class after going 2-10 at KENTUCKY.

  • Chances/Loyalty: B. Seems very gettable. UK is hardly an elite program. Would he leave after just two seasons?

  • Demeanor: B+. 47 years old, smart guy who seems capable in press conferences.

  • Three Phases: B+. Defensive coach running a very Auburn-like offense at UK. Specializes in DB coaching, which is vital in today's spread world. PLEASE bring OC/QB coach Neal Brown.

  • Roster Fit: B-. Another spread coach, but more tempo than Mullen. That said, uses lots of backs and H's to create running lanes for QB and RB.

  • OVERALL GPA: 3.00 (B). Great bloodlines and positive early returns at UK, this would be another great hire, IMO. Would need to make sure he brought most of his staff.

Still to come:  Scott Frost, Teryl Austin, Greg Schiano, Gary Patterson, Bob Stitt, Chad Morris, Mark Hudspeth, Kirby Smart, Tom Herman, Matt Wells, Mike Gundy, Ruffin McNeil. 

Comments

Chris of Dange…

October 13th, 2014 at 12:47 PM ^

I would really put the general line at I-70. There are a lot more towns like Martinsville south of Indy than there are north of it.

I had a friendly argument along these lines with an Alabama fan in the days leading up to the 2000 Sugar Bowl - I made the argument above; he claimed the South ended at Tennessee.

We had a good laugh when I pointed out that both sides were trying to inflict Kentucky on the other.

Ron Utah

October 13th, 2014 at 1:11 PM ^

Yeah, to me, these are the states in the South (culturlaly):

Texas, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri (most of state), Oklahoma, Tennessee, Virginia (some of state), West Virginia.

But geographically, Kentucky is just south of Indiana and Ohio...hardly south.  In the summer, Kentucky averages a datime temperature of about 87 degrees.  23 degrees in the winter.  Does that sound like the south to you?

Just having fun, though--Kentucky is DEFINITELY in the "South"

991GT3

October 13th, 2014 at 11:43 AM ^

doubts he will let Hoke go. This will be especially true if Hoke wins enough games to be bowl eligible. Losing to MSU and OSU will not in of themselves require his dismissal at least according to Brandon.

For proof of this, in an interview after losing to Minnesota Brandon said, "Hoke has not forgotten how to win". He will give him his last year to turn things around.

Just be ready for this scenario should Brandon be allowed to stay.

That said, Mullen would be a great hire. He operates with the lowest football budget in the SEC and develops mediocre players into 4 and 5 star players. And he wins in a the toughest conference in the nation.

603_GoBlue

October 13th, 2014 at 11:33 AM ^

I would rather have Schiano over either one of these guys and I dont give a shit that all of Tampa hates him. For everyone with bias blinders on, there are reports out of San Fran that a particular coach is hated by the entire organization and I dare any one of you to use that as a Neg against him

603_GoBlue

October 13th, 2014 at 1:28 PM ^

Right now I prefer Schiano over Mullen but I reserve the right to change my mind if Miss St finishes strong. The season is halfway thru and I will not give him credit for something he has not accomplished yet.

I have been posting frequently against Mullen just because there is overwhelming support for him to be the next coach here. Many look at him as a Homerun after JH. A couple points on why Mullen is being overrated; This year he has one of the most experienced teams in the SEC, at a good time when the other powers seem to be young and struggling with new players and personel. Remove this year and look at Mullen's history you will see 2 good seasons (10,12). One of which(12), as I have posted in alum96 diary, is the probably the flukiest 8-5 of all-time. He has never finished better than 4th in the West and his recruinting is below average. Ill leave it at that while also saying that he should be a candidate for the position but he also should not be annointed as the best option.

Why I would take Schiano over Mullen right now is kind of simple. Exclude this year and the edge goes to schiano for HC history in college. Schiano turning around rutgers over Mullen turning around Miss St. I do not care if Schiano failed at the pro level, it had to have made him a better coach and it helps to pitch to recruits that you once coached in the NFL. He is highly regarded by other coaches. And most important is his attitude. I've grown tired of Hoke and his buddy buddy player/coach relationship. He has 2 emotions: happy and sad. The ability to show no emotion not included. Schiano obviously is much more extreme. And finally is the obvious ties to the B1G. How would rutgers recruit against Schiano? He could be a force in the new east and let the name Michigan be the backbone of recruiting in the midwest.

I tried to keep this short but no matter the length there is still a debate between the two unless Miss St. wins a natty

And no Schiano is not my number one choice for future head coach

MGolem

October 13th, 2014 at 2:00 PM ^

How would you feel if Mullen was to get them in the playoff? Does he have to win it all to get your vote? I would imagine if he does in fact win it all there is no way on earth Mississippi State lets him go so for our sake, just being able to have him in consideration for the position, we better hope they do not in fact do so.

I have come around to Mullen after watching his team play but I still consider the Harbaughs, either of them, to be above anyone else. There are probably arguments for why one would be preferred over another but give me the potential for longevity over anything else at this point.

Mr Miggle

October 13th, 2014 at 3:12 PM ^

What's harder, turning around Rutgers in the Big East or Miss St in the SEC? They're both impressive, but I'd pick the one with the tougher competition. Rutgers is in a better spot for recruiting; good in-state talent, no other in-state school, almost no regional powers to contend with.

What's worse? Is it having your DC send those "you're a baller" recruiting letters? Or Schiano accepting, backing out and then again trying to accept our job offer in 2007?

Michigan Arrogance

October 13th, 2014 at 12:48 PM ^

this looks great.

 

I do think we are putting candidates that just don't have a shot at getting hired here: mostly b/c they have little to no HCing esperience. The guy will have had at least 4-5 years as a HC at one school and likely that means 5-8 years overall.

Mullen is the protype: solid stop in stark vegas and his success there can't be attributed to the previous coahes' players.

Hoke similarly: 4-5 years at a couple stops showing eventual success. But no coordinator experience.

 

I just don't see a guy w/o significant HCing experience, so why bother talking about him?

Ron Utah

October 13th, 2014 at 1:04 PM ^

Short answer: Because people want to hear about them.

Longer answer: While significant HC experience seems like a prerequisite to us, the fact is that you just never know.  A guy with loads of coordinator experience could knock the AD's socks off in an interview, and who even know who our AD will be?

I'm leading with the guys with HC experience, and Stoops popped in early because he's been hot.