December 4th, 2014 at 11:10 AM ^
December 4th, 2014 at 12:12 PM ^
haven't been explosive be a reflection of the fact that his defenses have been, perenially, in the top-10 to top-20 in the nation? It appears to me as if he's running a team which resembles a Bo Schembechler-style crushing defense which, by design, runs a slower tempo offense to minimize the other team's opportunities to score. Wouldn't that reflect in lower offensive production?
Ultimately wouldn't his W-L record be a more important metric when you're looking at someone who is running a defensive juggernaut as opposed to an Oregon or OSU offense?
I remember watching the '97 team and I can tell you that cheering for a steam-roller defense is every bit as thrilling as a high-tempo offense. Having both would be better...but I'm not ready to write off Miles just because his style runs more towards crushing defenses than the Oregons of the world.
December 4th, 2014 at 11:07 AM ^
I think this should be the #1 choice if we don't get Harbaugh. Why? Because he can develop quarterbacks. Alex Smith, Tebow, he even refined Chris Leak, and Dak Prescott is pretty damn impressive.
December 4th, 2014 at 11:50 AM ^
and he smoked the current Pac-12 coach of the year in the Gator Bowl when they both had either the same or about the same time in rebulding at their respective schools, with less highly rated recruits.
December 4th, 2014 at 11:08 AM ^
As much as I like Miles and don't worry about his age as far as impact on his job performance, because I think he possesses a fire for coaching that knocks a few years off, I do worry about it from a standpoint of longevity. Not saying I would worry about him keeling over, but if his body just can no longer keep up with the rigors of coaching before long...
If Mullen is available, I'm all for taking a shot.
December 4th, 2014 at 11:09 AM ^
December 4th, 2014 at 11:24 AM ^
I agree. It's definitely a question of balance between more proven track record vs gambling on upside, and getting a guy who definitely won't be retiring any time soon as opposed to maybe having a coaching vacancy again in five years if he retires that soon and possibly doesn't leave an heir apparent. Of course, Michigan could just as easily be looking again in five years because Mullen came and the gamble didn't pay off. I'd happily take either one, but both come with potential pitfalls.
Obviously Harbaugh would render this all moot, but I just can't get over feelings that he's an extreme longshot, so I think it's important to have several acceptable options. While I think it's unlikely Miles turns down an offer, you never know for sure.
December 4th, 2014 at 11:38 AM ^
December 4th, 2014 at 11:45 AM ^
Miles won the flukiest national title in college football history and that was 8 years ago.
December 4th, 2014 at 11:51 AM ^
December 4th, 2014 at 12:00 PM ^
And I'm thinking about long term success and going with the innovative, smart, young guy who has built up a program at a place that was thought to be a coaching graveyard (which is something we need), who can be here for a long time, as opposed to the guy who is a soon to be senior citizen who likely wouldn't even be considered by fans if not for his ties to U of M.
In a lot of ways this is Hoke versus Rich Rod all over again (In before someone makes a HURR DURR comment about Hoke's coaching record versus Miles).
December 4th, 2014 at 11:59 AM ^
That I don't agree as much with. I don't think that's the fairest comparison to make given the different stages at which they stand in their careers. I'm not saying Mullen's the perfect hire, I just think there need to be options other than Harbaugh and Miles should they decline (or, in Miles' case, encounter too much internal resistance to an offer), and I think he's among the best of the realistic options. I don't consider Stoops realistic (would be happy to be wrong) and do not want to see Schiano offered.
December 4th, 2014 at 11:33 AM ^
Except I, and a lot of other people, think Miles is far from a "sure thing."
LSU, believe it or not, has a lot of built in advantages over Michigan and is a better job at this point. They're right smack dab in the middle of the most fertile recruiting grounds in the country, and already had been an elite program before Miles got there (though he has continued their success).
They're in the SEC, which has the most conference cache in college football at the moment (whether you agree or disagree with the perception that they're the best), and they are allowed a...let's just say...much bigger leeway in terms of recruiting, which is Miles' biggest strength.
Miles is like Hoke in that he's more of a CEO type of head coach. So we would need to be sure to surround him with top tier coordinators, which is something we are more than capable of doing.
The last time Miles had to build a program from the ground up at OK State, he didn't do a particularly stellar job before he left. In 4 seasons he went 28-21 and 16-16 in conference games with a 1-2 record in bowl games. His predecessor went 21-24, 14-20 in conference games with an 0-1 record in bowl games. So some improvement, but it's not like he was tearing the roof off the place (Mike Gundy has been much better). The year Les left OK State they were 7-5 with a 4-4 conference record and got blown out 33-7 in the Alamo bowl by Ohio State.
I think he's a good coach, but I honestly believe that his record is a bit inflated and misleading considering LSU is a juggernaut of a school with some of the very best built in advantages in the country.
Now, is he a part of that? Absolutely. Does he deserve a great deal of credit for maintaining LSU's success? Absolutely. Do I think he can come anywhere close to replicating that run of success at Michigan? No.
But that's just one guy's dumb opinion.
December 4th, 2014 at 11:44 AM ^
December 4th, 2014 at 11:48 AM ^
Michigan is elite in nothing but name at this point. We haven't been a true elite program in years.
December 4th, 2014 at 11:54 AM ^
December 4th, 2014 at 12:02 PM ^
Well, LSU also has a proven track record of consistently putting guys into the NFL and winning in the 21st century, which Michigan doesn't have, and the whole ESS EEE SEE thing as well. Not to mention the fact that they are able to be--let's say--a tad more "liberal" when it comes to recuiting and the rules.
December 4th, 2014 at 11:08 AM ^
After doing a little research and thinking it over I would take Mullen over Miles. I know, I'm batshit crazy. Just seems like there is a lot more upside with Mullen. Miles actually scares me some.
Yes I would love Bob Stoops, but I don't see that happening. Stoops could probably benefit from switching schools though. Seems things have got stale over in Oklahoma.
Still hoping for Harbaugh though. God, I just want this search to end and it just started.
December 4th, 2014 at 11:09 AM ^
We've got to want him to take him.
December 4th, 2014 at 11:10 AM ^
For me anyways......
Choice A is a Harbaugh
Choice B is Miles
Choice C is Mullen
Choice D is somebody I dont think I want and will probably make me mad no matter who it is.
December 4th, 2014 at 11:20 AM ^
I like that. Maybe through Stoops in there, but I don't see him leaving OU.
December 4th, 2014 at 11:11 AM ^
December 4th, 2014 at 11:20 AM ^
Tyrone Wheatly?
December 4th, 2014 at 11:12 AM ^
Despite the greyshirt incident, the one thing that Mullen has done with the culture of Mississippi State is get everyone - right down to the people who wash uniforms apparently - on the same page about having a winning attitude, an influence that would probably benefit us.
That being said, it seems reasonable to believe that he might be about to break off a string of excellent seasons at Mississippi State, so it could difficult to pull him away from that if he is the sort that wants to see "the next phase" of his work, if you will, and see how long he can keep them competitive in the SEC West.
THAT being said, I would think this is a name towards the top of the "at least call" list down at Schembechler Hall, although I would hope the actual top of the list is full of people with longer track records of sustained success.
December 4th, 2014 at 11:33 AM ^
What Mullen has done at a perennial loser in Mississippi State is a welcome site. He has gone 42-30 so far there. Hoke at Michigan went 31-20. Mullen has the best winning percentage at Miss St. since Murray Warmath in the early 1950s.
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
December 4th, 2014 at 11:21 AM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
December 4th, 2014 at 11:22 AM ^
Bob Stoops is really in play, he has to be option 1A after Harbaugh.
I find that hard to believe, but he would be almost as good as getting Harbaugh.
December 4th, 2014 at 11:26 AM ^
December 4th, 2014 at 11:26 AM ^
December 4th, 2014 at 11:29 AM ^
come fast and hard anytime something less than glowing is said about RR.
That said, I think Mullen is a good plan C. I just don't think he's proven himself over a long enough time period to be the first or second choice.
If JH says no just go get Les as soon as JH hangs up the phone. Don't even call first. Just show up at LSU with a contract and a plane ticket. He'll sign it.
December 4th, 2014 at 11:33 AM ^
December 4th, 2014 at 11:34 AM ^
I posted this on another site, but it's relevant for this thread too:
Prior to this season, Mullen beat 2 ranked teams in his first five seasons at Miss. State, a #25 ranked Ole Miss team in '09 and a #22 Florida team in '10 (the season that sank Urban). Before this season, he had beaten 8% (2 out of 23) of the ranked teams he faced. He's also had close calls with some bad teams (5 point win over UAB, needing OT to beat La Tech, 6 point win over Troy, 1 point win over Bowling Green, etc.). I realize he's at Mississippi State and they're one of the bottom feeders in the SEC, but his numbers have been typical of bottom feeder P5 programs.
And then this year (his "breakout" season, year six), he beat 3 ranked teams, LSU (8-4), A&M (7-5), and Auburn (8-4). LSU and A&M are young and rebuilding after losing a LOT of talent to the NFL and Auburn's defense is just beyond terrible. MSU is much more impressive this year than in previous years, but I think a lot of that has to do with having veteran leadership at key positions and a lot of good coaches can have a great season when they don't have to deal much with having a bunch of young starters.
Finally, Mullen runs a completely different offensive system which would take at least a couple years to fully implement, so another transition period. I'm okay with us bringing in a different system if it's somebody like Mark Helfrich or Gary Patterson, who can make the transition quickly. I don't see how he's worth the wait again. He's a good coach, but I don't think he's great at all.
Just my thoughts.
December 4th, 2014 at 11:44 AM ^
This offensive system needs time is complete BS. The problem with RR's system not working wasn't the system...it was because he didn't have the talent. The talent is there for any coach to be successful offensively....Well if one of the young quarterbacks steps up and is the real deal. Look at other schools who changed to spread offenses lately. Ohio State didn't need time.
December 4th, 2014 at 12:10 PM ^
December 4th, 2014 at 11:41 AM ^
Isn't he yet another coach who us Michigan fans have railed on for being dirty, due to his recruiting?
Just curious.
December 4th, 2014 at 11:42 AM ^
and it appears to be that the forces aligned against Miles in Ann Arbor are still strong, it has to be Mullen. For God sakes man, getting Miss State ranked No.1 this season would be like getting Purdue to No. 1.
December 4th, 2014 at 11:46 AM ^
since that other thread was deleted, I'll just put this here:
http://www.yellowpages.com/lincoln-ne/tattoo-shops
Yep, there are 24 tattoo parlors in Lincoln. I think that rumor might have legs...
There are 58 tattoo parlors in Columbus, but I trust in Tressel to make his system work even with fewer than half the tattoo parlors he had before. The question is, can he get the car/tractor dealers on board?
December 4th, 2014 at 11:44 AM ^
He's going to have to implement a completely new system, and if he can't get results in year 1, people will already be calling for his head.
I'll pass. He's done a great job this year, all things considered, but the "big" wins he's had up to this point are, in retrospect, not that big. LSU, A&M, and Auburn are not as good as we thought they were.
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
December 4th, 2014 at 11:46 AM ^
I'm not sure if that's an indictment on Mullen or just MSU but if true it definitely seems sketchy.
December 4th, 2014 at 11:50 AM ^
richrod in the big east before miami (YTM) and vatech left... good season here and there but when his teams go up against the best teams they don't normally win...
December 4th, 2014 at 11:52 AM ^
Am I the only one who took Hackett's comment during his press conference that Michigan wasn't interested in a one year wonder to be a reference to Mullen?
December 4th, 2014 at 11:56 AM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
December 4th, 2014 at 11:58 AM ^
Slightly off topic, but Mzone has posted a video that you may or may not like. I always like to check that site every now and then. He does not post often, but when he does it usually something unusual..... I still like to search the site for the USC sex on roof post from about 3 years ago.
Harbaugh hopers ( I am one), may not like it. But that guy is good.
I am an old man and links escape me, but if you click on the link on the left side of the home page it is easy to find. Brian and staff, hopefully you do not mind me sending people momentarily to another site. Sorry in advance.
December 4th, 2014 at 12:24 PM ^
December 4th, 2014 at 12:55 PM ^
Here is my case against Dan Mullen. Supported by statistics.
http://mgoblog.com/diaries/cc-viewing-dan-mullen-advanced-stats