Joe Castiglione to retire; Selmon favored to replace him as OU AD

[Tater]

Not guaranteed. But he's early clubhouse favorite after the Oak hire. His Lebby hire has some money guys questioning it though. Not a done deal yet.

[Tater]

Kirby Hocutt and Marcus Bowman also in the mix.

[StarkVegasSteve]

Not guaranteed. But he's early clubhouse favorite after the Oak hire. His Lebby hire has some money guys questioning it though. Not a done deal yet.

He's not the favorite. There's 4 or 5 names above his accd to some OU people. He's on the list, but he's not at the top of it. They'd have to strike out on some candidates before. And unlike when he interviewed for our job, they already know him. There's nothing he's going to do to blow them away like he did our people.

[Goldendawg]

We are an OTJ training program for FB HC (Hire Assistants who most are complete failures) and AD's. The successful Asst type AD's that we hire are poached very quickly. The duds stay forever, LT, or stay long enough to do serious damage to our programs, Cohen. The only sitting former AD that I remember hiring in my approx 62 year fandom is Carl Maddox. Only Asst FB coaches who became successful were Bob Tyler and Mullen. We get what we pay for, a history of continued failure while doing the same cheap thing over and over expecting a different result.

[confucius say]

Not guaranteed. But he's early clubhouse favorite after the Oak hire. His Lebby hire has some money guys questioning it though. Not a done deal yet.

Is there a source that says he is the favorite? Or is that your opinion?

[BravesDoggy]

O'Connor for MSU AD!!!!

[StarkVegasSteve]

O'Connor for MSU AD!!!!

I'm gonna go on record and say we won't ever hire a former coach to be an AD again. And I say that with a pretty strong guarantee it'll never happen again.

[Todd4State]

I'm gonna go on record and say we won't ever hire a former coach to be an AD again. And I say that with a pretty strong guarantee it'll never happen again.

GOOD!!

[Todd4State]

We are an OTJ training program for FB HC (Hire Assistants who most are complete failures) and AD's. The successful Asst type AD's that we hire are poached very quickly. The duds stay forever, LT, or stay long enough to do serious damage to our programs, Cohen. The only sitting former AD that I remember hiring in my approx 62 year fandom is Carl Maddox. Only Asst FB coaches who became successful were Bob Tyler and Mullen. We get what we pay for, a history of continued failure while doing the same cheap thing over and over expecting a different result.

We could have hired more experienced football coaches if we tried to and were willing to pay to do so. That's our real issue in football. Or at least one of the biggest ones.

We hold ourselves back so much in football with fallacies and limitations we place on ourselves for no reason.

[DownwardDawg]

Mullen to State!!!!!!!!!

[Todd4State]

Mullen to State!!!!!!!!!

Speaking of holding ourselves back...

[BravesDoggy]

We are an OTJ training program for FB HC (Hire Assistants who most are complete failures) and AD's. The successful Asst type AD's that we hire are poached very quickly. The duds stay forever, LT, or stay long enough to do serious damage to our programs, Cohen. The only sitting former AD that I remember hiring in my approx 62 year fandom is Carl Maddox. Only Asst FB coaches who became successful were Bob Tyler and Mullen. We get what we pay for, a history of continued failure while doing the same cheap thing over and over expecting a different result.

It's a crapshoot either way, but let's stop acting like poor ol MSU is the only school that hires coordinators. 7 of the 16 current SEC head coaches were coordinators or position coaches at the time of their hiring.

We heard rumors in our past hiring cycles from everything from Sarkisian, to Barry Odom, to Chizik and we had just as many people shitting on those potential hires. People poor mouthed Malzahn as a potential hire. The bottom line is many in this fan base aren't ever going to be happy with anything and that is a big problem with MSU. The fanbase is so divided and so fickle that we shit on our own opportunities before any opponent ever has a chance to do so.

[confucius say]

It's a crapshoot either way, but let's stop acting like poor ol MSU is the only school that hires coordinators. 7 of the 16 current SEC head coaches were coordinators or position coaches at the time of their hiring.

We heard rumors in our past hiring cycles from everything from Sarkisian, to Barry Odom, to Chizik and we had just as many people shitting on those potential hires. People poor mouthed Malzahn as a potential hire. The bottom line is many in this fan base aren't ever going to be happy with anything and that is a big problem with MSU. The fanbase is so divided and so fickle that we shit on our own opportunities before any opponent ever has a chance to do so.

Fair

[BeardoMSU]

Will there be another push for some ED member to be AD again, lol?

[gtowndawg]

We could have hired more experienced football coaches if we tried to and were willing to pay to do so. That's our real issue in football. Or at least one of the biggest ones.

We hold ourselves back so much in football with fallacies and limitations we place on ourselves for no reason.

I cut back on reading this board because there are so many people that act like we should just give up on football totally. We have such a losing mentality as a group it's depressing to read sometimes.

[Tater]

He's not the favorite. There's 4 or 5 names above his accd to some OU people. He's on the list, but he's not at the top of it. They'd have to strike out on some candidates before. And unlike when he interviewed for our job, they already know him. There's nothing he's going to do to blow them away like he did our people.

Steve. I don't question you on MSU things. Don't question me on OU things. I have more connections within OU than most on here with State. There is a reason my profile picture is horns down ffs.

Right now those 3 are the early list. If a couple guys have their way, it will be Hocutt. He's done a phenomenal job with fundraising at Tech. But Selmon has the more recency / connections advantage overall. Selmon is ahead of Bowman because Bowman is basically following the same path as Selmon just a few years behind.


Is there a source that says he is the favorite? Or is that your opinion?

Family is my source.

[BrunswickDawg]

It's a crapshoot either way, but let's stop acting like poor ol MSU is the only school that hires coordinators. 7 of the 16 current SEC head coaches were coordinators or position coaches at the time of their hiring.

UGA has only hired 1 experienced college HC in the history of the their program. Jim Donnan. Every other one was an assistant.

[cheewgumm]

If Lebby fails, I am definitely on the hire Mullen back wagon.

I am rooting for Lebby though as I think he will be good.

Just saying.

[StarkVegasSteve]

Steve. I don't question you on MSU things. Don't question me on OU things. I have more connections within OU than most on here with State. There is a reason my profile picture is horns down ffs.

Right now those 3 are the early list. If a couple guys have their way, it will be Hocutt. He's done a phenomenal job with fundraising at Tech. But Selmon has the more recency / connections advantage overall. Selmon is ahead of Bowman because Bowman is basically following the same path as Selmon just a few years behind.



Family is my source.

Not doubting your sourcing Tater. I was just passing along what some OU people told me this morning. They were the first ones to mention Lebby to State to me back in October of 24. They said Selmon is on the shortlist but Kirby Hocutt is at the top of the list and there's some push for Michael Alford to get a look as well due to his time under Castiglione. They told me the big money people want Hocutt because they love what he did with the fundraising arm at Tech. Now, I personally think they're probably giving him too much credit and trying to act like he brought Cody Campbell in from the desert or something. But if that's what ends up keeping Selmon here then let them believe that.

[StarkVegasSteve]

If Lebby fails, I am definitely on the hire Mullen back wagon.

I am rooting for Lebby though as I think he will be good.

Just saying.

I want to see how Mullen operates in this new NIL era. I also worry that we could pull him from UNLV for at least 3 years. Cannon is a big time basketball recruit now and is at Bishop Gorman. I would be surprised to see Dan make a move to Mississippi State and make Cannon transfer to Starkville Academy. Now if you told me Dan did well at UNLV and he took the Maryland job so Cannon could go to Dematha, I'd believe that.

[BravesDoggy]

UGA has only hired 1 experienced college HC in the history of the their program. Jim Donnan. Every other one was an assistant.

Yep.

And to the original point where the previous poster said that we are a training ground for failures, the only true failure was Croom who had no business being hired in the first place, but of course that was LT for you.

Mullen was a coordinator off a natty team. Moorhead was coordinator on a successful BiG team. That is usually the model that many teams follow. There are only so many sitting HCs that are in play and if they are hot, someone is usually gonna snatch them up before we have the chance. I mean ffs it is not like we were turning over the program to lifelong SWAC or CUSA position coaches here.

Hell it took almost a decade for some of our fanbase to shut the f up about Bobby Wallace and thank god we never even pulled that trigger.

The problem with Lebby is that he inherited a shit team with zero talent. If we had hired him instead of or directly following Leach, I think we would see a totally different outcome here.

[Tater]

Will there be another push for some ED member to be AD again, lol?

I'll gladly do it. MoverS on everything. Push academics to adopt it. Take down the sign on the side of the stadium.

Fix the ****ing sound system.

Chair back the stadium and close off the bow, goal is to shrink capacity to ~55k with room to grow on top. Yes the chair backing would accommodate the obese state of Mississippi.

Free student admission to every sporting event.

Move student section behind benches for the Hump.

Set up a celeb / rich person recruiting network. Go after children and grandchildren of millionaire celebs / billionaire moguls. Invest in those programs their kids play and watch the donor money explode. (Get invested in sport they care about and push for their kid to be the star, especially if it's like volleyball.)

Set up a better initial buy-in for alumni to donating. Get $10 / $20 / $100 a month out the gate from new grads.

Work with Starkville to make University / Main Street become a whole long strip leading to the best campus on earth.

Never hire an OC to be HC in football again. Probably would bring back Mullen if Lebby doesn't work out. He'll raise the floor back up and get us back on even footing with OM at the worst.

Uniforms for Football will be 2014 jersey/pant without the adidas tire tread.

Expand Lounges / Lofts for baseball. The master plan honestly does a great job of it.

Push for Dorman to be remodeled / renovated / replaced.

More Saturday evening concerts in the Dude in Spring.

Bring the Bananas to Davis Wade.

Optimize Concessions in all sports similar to the baseball change / make prices friendly.

Promote eSports tournaments. Have a stage for students to compete on Saturdays tailgating for football / basketball / baseball throughout the year. (Thinking partner with EA in someway with both CFB and CBB making returns here.)

On that vein - notice the sports that have TV spots on ESPN/2 randomly. Bowling, Cornhole, etc. Have weekly saturday competitions for Students there that we push to

[Tater]

Not doubting your sourcing Tater. I was just passing along what some OU people told me this morning. They were the first ones to mention Lebby to State to me back in October of 24. They said Selmon is on the shortlist but Kirby Hocutt is at the top of the list and there's some push for Michael Alford to get a look as well due to his time under Castiglione. They told me the big money people want Hocutt because they love what he did with the fundraising arm at Tech. Now, I personally think they're probably giving him too much credit and trying to act like he brought Cody Campbell in from the desert or something. But if that's what ends up keeping Selmon here then let them believe that.

I'd be happy to keep Selmon. But Hocutt is 2, Selmon is 1. Yes there are a couple significant money people that have it the other way. They were the ones that wanted Lebby gone sooner than the end of the season in 23*. It was no secret Lebby knew he had to find somewhere else to be for 24. We threw him a life raft. But that won't matter.

Michael Alford has done nothing of note for FSU that inspires confidence like what Hocutt and Selmon have pulled off the last two years. He's an alternate choice if those spurn OU. (It would be a shock and a huge boon for us if Selmon declined the job.)

[PGHBulldogBG]

If Selmon is offered the OU job then I can?t imagine he would turn it down. At the same time, I?m not sure he has done enough to show that he is ?good enough? for OU. I would think if it comes down to Selmon for a job with that much prestige, a lot of people will be disappointed. This is definitely going to be interesting to see how this plays out

[StarkVegasSteve]

If Selmon is offered the OU job then I can?t imagine he would turn it down. At the same time, I?m not sure he has done enough to show that he is ?good enough? for OU. I would think if it comes down to Selmon for a job with that much prestige, a lot of people will be disappointed. This is definitely going to be interesting to see how this plays out

Look I agree with you that I don't know if he's done enough to show that he's good enough for a job with that much prestige. But here's the thing, and Tater can probably back me up on this, there's a lot of reverence in and around Norman for that last name:Selmon. He obviously didn't go to OU but they see him as one of them. And like you said, and I completely agree with, if he's offered that job he will take it.

[Tater]

If Selmon is offered the OU job then I can?t imagine he would turn it down. At the same time, I?m not sure he has done enough to show that he is ?good enough? for OU. I would think if it comes down to Selmon for a job with that much prestige, a lot of people will be disappointed. This is definitely going to be interesting to see how this plays out

The plan in place was Selmon had ~5 years to go prove it and then the job would be his when Cast retired. Joe is retiring earlier than expected. What Selmon did for MSU baseball was done with this knowledge. I'll keep the board updated when I hear more. Right now - 1. Selmon 2. Hocutt 3. Bowman.

What I heard on Alford - he wants into the SEC and recognizes that FSU is going to be a headache getting funding. He's thrown his name in the ring much more than OU is interested in him. He'll likely get an interview; however, he's behind Bowman who will take the job if offered, so keep the shortlist ending at him for now. Sounds like enough of the money people at OU know not to judge Selmon on Lebby, but more on Oak. The OU opinion of themselves is how we see ourselves in baseball.

[Tater]

Look I agree with you that I don't know if he's done enough to show that he's good enough for a job with that much prestige. But here's the thing, and Tater can probably back me up on this, there's a lot of reverence in and around Norman for that last name:Selmon. He obviously didn't go to OU but they see him as one of them. And like you said, and I completely agree with, if he's offered that job he will take it.

Yep. Selmon name carries massive weight here.

[StarkVegasSteve]

The plan in place was Selmon had ~5 years to go prove it and then the job would be his when Cast retired. Joe is retiring earlier than expected. What Selmon did for MSU baseball was done with this knowledge. I'll keep the board updated when I hear more. Right now - 1. Selmon 2. Hocutt 3. Bowman.

What I heard on Alford - he wants into the SEC and recognizes that FSU is going to be a headache getting funding. He's thrown his name in the ring much more than OU is interested in him. He'll likely get an interview; however, he's behind Bowman who will take the job if offered, so keep the shortlist ending at him for now. Sounds like enough of the money people at OU know not to judge Selmon on Lebby, but more on Oak. The OU opinion of themselves is how we see ourselves in baseball.

I can't believe they'd put that much stock in a baseball hire. Most of them couldn't find their baseball stadium if they were standing in front of it. I'm not lying about this, I was sitting by a group of OU fans at the basketball game this year and none of them, of which there were 6, knew who the baseball coach even was. And these weren't students or sidewalk fans, to my knowledge. They dressed well and looked to be very knowledgeable about OU. Knew about Porter Moser and gave me the scoop on the Mateer/Arbuckle stuff and how that went down.

[StarkVegasSteve]

I was also just passed along Wren Baker's name as well. Apparently an article mentioned him as a candidate and the guys I know say there's a few people pushing for him. To what extent, I have absolutely no clue. I just read his bio and holy crap......he's extremely successful for someone only in his mid 40s.

And hell....we may need to look at him if Selmon leaves.

[Tater]

I can't believe they'd put that much stock in a baseball hire. Most of them couldn't find their baseball stadium if they were standing in front of it. I'm not lying about this, I was sitting by a group of OU fans at the basketball game this year and none of them, of which there were 6, knew who the baseball coach even was. And these weren't students or sidewalk fans, to my knowledge. They dressed well and looked to be very knowledgeable about OU. Knew about Porter Moser and gave me the scoop on the Mateer/Arbuckle stuff and how that went down.

The money guys know comparable business. They know not to judge an AD on what he does for State football, but for State baseball. They see themselves as a top 3 football program. They know Selmon is working with a top 40 football program and a top 3 baseball program. It's much more translatable to see what he can do with top 3 funding in their minds.

This does take the mental leap that OU is top 3 football program. Again that's how they view themselves. And ya know... top 3 program in baseball was how we viewed ourselves. Selmon made us walk the walk this offseason.

Some are, as you say, guys who only judge things on football. They don't have the deciding money. And a big concession that can be made is Selmon ruling out ever hiring Lebby back to OU. There's still sour grapes about Art Briles in OU gear. Remember - that didn't stop them before even though that portion was vocally unhappy. It's roughly the same crowd you're probably hearing from.

[StarkVegasSteve]

The money guys know comparable business. They know not to judge an AD on what he does for State football, but for State baseball. They see themselves as a top 3 football program. They know Selmon is working with a top 40 football program and a top 3 baseball program. It's much more translatable to see what he can do with top 3 funding in their minds.

This does take the mental leap that OU is top 3 football program. Again that's how they view themselves. And ya know... top 3 program in baseball was how we viewed ourselves. Selmon made us walk the walk this offseason.

Some are, as you say, guys who only judge things on football. They don't have the deciding money. And a big concession that can be made is Selmon ruling out ever hiring Lebby back to OU. There's still sour grapes about Art Briles in OU gear. Remember - that didn't stop them before even though that portion was vocally unhappy. It's roughly the same crowd you're probably hearing from.

Well it's good to know that if Lebby gets it rolling here OU and Selmon won't come calling when Venables inevitably is fired.

[Tater]

Well it's good to know that if Lebby gets it rolling here OU and Selmon won't come calling when Venables inevitably is fired.

Arbuckle is going to have that O exceed expectations and then get his own HC job. He'll be in line ahead of Lebby when Venebles can't get the OC right consistently enough.

[DownwardDawg]

Speaking of holding ourselves back...

Hahahaha!!! It had to be said!!!!

[EdwardDrayton]

O'Connor for MSU AD!!!!

Oh please Lord no. We've made that colossal mistake before.

[Goldendawg]

Yep.

And to the original point where the previous poster said that we are a training ground for failures, the only true failure was Croom who had no business being hired in the first place, but of course that was LT for you.

Mullen was a coordinator off a natty team. Moorhead was coordinator on a successful BiG team. That is usually the model that many teams follow. There are only so many sitting HCs that are in play and if they are hot, someone is usually gonna snatch them up before we have the chance. I mean ffs it is not like we were turning over the program to lifelong SWAC or CUSA position coaches here.

Hell it took almost a decade for some of our fanbase to shut the f up about Bobby Wallace and thank god we never even pulled that trigger.

The problem with Lebby is that he inherited a shit team with zero talent. If we had hired him instead of or directly following Leach, I think we would see a totally different outcome here.

Not to steal the thread as I may be much older than you but check the overall (official records even after forfeits - even Tyler and Morehead. Tyler was a great success on the field. Morehead a stubborn baffoon who did little with great talent), of all our Asst FB coaching hires on Hail State in our history. It's much worse than just Croom and Arnett. Now as per Selmon back to OK. Don't have a clue, but would match our recent pattern of somewhat successful young AD's to bigger SEC programs ( Not counting Cohen, glad he is gone and helped get our FB program in this mess).

[BankerDog]

I was also just passed along Wren Baker's name as well. Apparently an article mentioned him as a candidate and the guys I know say there's a few people pushing for him. To what extent, I have absolutely no clue. I just read his bio and holy crap......he's extremely successful for someone only in his mid 40s.

And hell....we may need to look at him if Selmon leaves.

We will hire Benko, Hobart, or the San Diego State. Gotta have those boys who understand Mississippi State and Mississippi in our offices!

[StarkVegasSteve]

So Tater you are pretty plugged into OU, what are their thoughts on Castiglione leaving? Is this a they are glad he is gone situation? Is he getting out before he has to make tough decisions on coaches? Did this shock them?

Also, what do you think his legacy will be? He got pretty lucky that he really only ever had to hire one football coach because Stoops gift wrapped his other two football hires. He obviously had some NCAA problems with Kelvin Sampson but Sampson had already left so he never had to make tough decisions on that. And obviously the biggest thing, he got them into the SEC. Seems like a great legacy. The Riley to Venables thing could be the only thing I see people being able to hold against him.

[BHildreth3]

If Selmon leaves, it opens the door to the 1998 uniform/logo being full time tho

[BeardoMSU]

If Selmon leaves, it opens the door to the 1998 uniform/logo being full time tho

Way more of a priority than a very competent AD.

[Gutter Cobreh]

When Bjork moved from A&M to Ohio State... it should show us all that anything is possible when it comes to hiring an AD. It all comes down to how good are you at marketing and fundraising. Selmon has done well in those regards with us.

[Pancho]

Tater says that our AD is gone. Who do we hire now?

[BrunswickDawg]

Tater says that our AD is gone. Who do we hire now?

I hear there is a guy named Larry with MSU connections who is well thought of in Birmingham. Maybe we should give him a shot??***

[Brobi-wan]

I’ll do it for 200k and guarantee you 4-8 in football. Where do I sign?

[PGHBulldogBG]

I agree with Steve that I would go after Wren Baker. He has done well at WVU and has a lot of success for his age

[ScottH]

He's not the favorite. There's 4 or 5 names above his accd to some OU people. He's on the list, but he's not at the top of it. They'd have to strike out on some candidates before. And unlike when he interviewed for our job, they already know him. There's nothing he's going to do to blow them away like he did our people.

The opening created by OU filling their job is the one I was told tonight to be wary of by a Bryan Building higher up.

[Tater]

So Tater you are pretty plugged into OU, what are their thoughts on Castiglione leaving? Is this a they are glad he is gone situation? Is he getting out before he has to make tough decisions on coaches? Did this shock them?

Also, what do you think his legacy will be? He got pretty lucky that he really only ever had to hire one football coach because Stoops gift wrapped his other two football hires. He obviously had some NCAA problems with Kelvin Sampson but Sampson had already left so he never had to make tough decisions on that. And obviously the biggest thing, he got them into the SEC. Seems like a great legacy. The Riley to Venables thing could be the only thing I see people being able to hold against him.

Been known it was coming - just a little earlier than anticipated. 27 years as an AD is a great run. There were whispers of wondering if NIL was passing him up; however, no one really entertained that thought. OU has had a phenomenal run in many sports under him. That stability is cherished. He'll always be revered in OU.

Even in the what have you done for me lately space - everyone was sold on BV. I think the Arbuckle hire will do wonders and OU will be very competitive this year. Hate we missed them on this two cycle, but I don't think we'd beat much of anyone last year even with our schedule.

@Pancho - I didn't say he was leaving. I said he's favored for this job. Ultimately, it's up to people way above our pay grade to make the decision. But early thoughts are Selmon. Part of why he took our gig was to actually build the resume when this time came so that it would be seamless. Joe just is about 2 years early for Selmon's ideal timeline.

[Cowbell]

I'd be happy to keep Selmon. But Hocutt is 2, Selmon is 1. Yes there are a couple significant money people that have it the other way. They were the ones that wanted Lebby gone sooner than the end of the season in 23*. It was no secret Lebby knew he had to find somewhere else to be for 24. We threw him a life raft. But that won't matter.

Michael Alford has done nothing of note for FSU that inspires confidence like what Hocutt and Selmon have pulled off the last two years. He's an alternate choice if those spurn OU. (It would be a shock and a huge boon for us if Selmon declined the job.)

I married into a Big OU family and this is dead on from what I hear