MSU's Poltical Pull and Positioning

[BeastMan]

Had a conversation yesterday where this came up and when you really look at it in totality, MSU had made huge leaps here while our main competitor has fallen behind. As many of y'all know, MSU didn't have much weight to throw around politicaly for a long time. Ole Miss dominated the state legislature and still probably have an edge in that realm but the gap has been closed so much, nothing egregious will happen ever again.

Having pull in the legislature is not the end-all-be-all. You also need sway in the SEC office and within the NCAA. We'll circle back to that.

The first step in this direction was Fogelsong clearing the table to be followed by Mark Keenum. The hiring of Keenum was a clear signal that MSU was ready to play politically. Before accepting the job he was a higher-up within the US Dept of Agriculture and really got to cut his teeth and build bonds in DC. He currently serves as the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools' Commission on Colleges' Executive Council. He formerly served as a member of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities board of directors. Based in Washington, D.C. Keenum was elected vice-president of the Southeastern Conference Executive Committee in 2015 and serves on the SECs Content Committee that oversees the SEC Network. He also represents the SEC as a member of the College Football Playoff's (CFP) Board of Managers. Can you see all the ties there? Regional, DC, and big-time within the SEC.

Keenum is also assisted in the SEC office by the pull of Larry Templeton who is a great friend of former commissioner Slive and current commissioner Sankey. He's known to be the SEC scheduling guru and when A&M/Missouri were added, guess who was in charge of that transition? With Keenum's role as president of the executive committee and LT with the behind the scenes assistance, MSU could not be positioned better within the SEC office.

It also helps to have strong allies within the conference who share your values and maybe even some enemies. John Cohen is new in his role as AD and may not personally have huge stroke yet but he has a huge advocate in South Carolina AD Ray Tanner. You also have Scott Stricklin at arguably the most powerful AD job in the conference. Plenty of rumors that Stricklin is grooming for something bigger... You also cannot forget former MSU AD Greg Byrne at Bama who brings not only his stroke but the juice of his father who has been a long-time power player in the AD world. In the realm of ADs, MSU couldn't be positioned with better allies than Byrne, Stricklin, and and old salt like Tanner.

You cannot overlook MSU's commitment to state political positioning. Nothing signals that like having former Lt Governor Amy Tuck on as Vice President of campus services. Tuck's political ties and sway in the state legislature is an asset as a current MSU employee.

Lastly, you cannot forget that Dan Mullen is one of the most respected coaches in the country within the NCAA. When he took the job on the NCAA oversight committee he was the only coach on the committee (replaced Richt) and even Rebel homer site Football Scoop called him the most powerful coach in football [sort of]. Even after Jeff Long took over Mullen has helped create and push through legislation like early signing periods. Make no mistake about it, Mullen is the anti-Jackie in the NCAAs eyes and MSU benefits greatly from that.

When you see all the pieces moving in the direction they are, you can't help but be proud of the way MSU has been ran and operated. Keenum has really spearheaded this push to position MSU positively in every aspect.

Quickly, I'd like to contrast that to our main competitors, Ole Miss, and how they've operated. I'll start with Chancellor Vitter. From an academic standpoint, he's golden. A Nola guy whose family has a background in LA politics who graduated from Norte Dame. He's a computer scientist and lifelong academia guy. Worked at Purdue, A&M, and most recently Kansas. From strictly an academic standpoint, he's a big-shot but he doesn't have the political resources to pull from that Keenum does. Vitter also has some detractors within the OM community. If I had to compare/contrast Keenum and Vitter and why they were hired I would say Vitter is the guy you hire to raise your academic standards and prestige while Keenum is the mover and shaker who raises the bar from every aspect.

Next you have Ross Bjork. Bjork left Miami when they were in NCAA trouble, and WKU got in trouble that followed him from a Miami via a basketball staffer who also jumped from Miami to WKU. Now you have the NCAA mess in Oxford. Not to mention the embarrassing use of social media over the years. The Kansas native also tried to jump at the KSU opening but was laughed off by KSU. You're talking about a guy that was a rising star 4 years ago whose stock has plummeted. No SEC or NCAA pull. No real allies either. He's kinda just stuck.

Lastly, you have Hugh Freeze. A guy who has no real coaching tree, no sway within the NCAA, and after this case is over where OM affiliates are sueing and attempting to depose former recruits, no juice in the SEC. Not to mention embarrassing use of social media also. He's went to great lengths to talk about the relationships he has in coaching but make no mistake, he has no network of power.

Now I'd be remiss if I didn't mention OM's power in the state legislature where I believe they are still the power. The gap is closed but they still have the edge. Also, they have the edge in power alumni in the state. Big-time litigation will do that for you but I don't think we'll see that windfall ever again.

Looking at how MSU has positioned vs Ole Miss the last few years it's truly chess vs checkers. That's why this NCAA deal has turned out like it has and the attempts to flip it on MSU have fallen flat. You guys can thank MSU leadership for its foresight in how to position itself for that. When you consider MSU's budget, school size, and the fact it's located in the poorest state in the country, its astonishing the position they are in politically.

[bulldog2488]

Wow, great post BeastMan. Glad our Bulldogs are continuing to move in the right direction!

[SaintDawg]

Great post. Very insightful. There is a lot to be said for biding your time and doing things the right way. OM and MSU are just so different in all aspects of academia and sports. We at MSU are well aware of who and what we are and we hope and aspire to be greater. OM views themselves as already having achieved this greatness, but they have nothing to show for it.

[BrunswickDawg]

Great discussion.

Couple all of this with our "Brand Ambassadors" in athletics right now - Dak on GMA this morning pushing cancer awareness with a star from one of the top TV comedies (plus everything else Dak is on); Fletcher Cox being the highest paid former SEC football player on the planet; Darius Slay leading kids camps in 2 different cities; Brent Rooker winning a Triple Crown and tearing up his first MiL assignment; Buck Showalter having the Orioles in the AL East fight again; our Women's Final Four team; Mitch Moreland leading the Red Sox; Hunter Renfroe pushing for ROY; Johnathan Holder pitching well in Yankee Stadium; Top 25 Teams in M&W Tennis; Top 25 Teams in Track; another post season in Softball, another MPG Supercar winner.

And what does Ole Miss have? Eli throwing interceptions? What else? Any positives.

We are entering a Golden Age of MSU Athletics and Academics. We will win a Natty in a Big 3 within the next few years. We will no longer be confused with the school up north -especially after the hammer drops from the NCAA. Great time to be associated with MSU.

[CadaverDawg]

Top shelf, Beast

[MedDawg]

Excellent post. I guess preceding this (or occurring alongside early) was OM losing influence in the IHL. As I remember it, the IHL successfully blocked MSU from hiring Dr. Keenum earlier, forcing us to have an interim for a year and a half (or no MSU President for a while), then getting Foglesong. Years later after MSU's first attempt to hire Dr. Keenum were we able to finally bring him aboard.

[Mimi's Babies]

Good things come to those who(es):.....
.... Keep their noses clean
.....Student Ath. are not graduating with a do nothing degree (general science)
.....Students go to class and learn... look at the grade point average
.....Recruit above board
.....and WAIT..... #HAILSTATE

[BeastMan]

Let this sink in: MSU last 3 ADs, who all still love MSU, are a leader in the SEC office, Bama AD, and Fla AD. AND the SEC commissioner's daughter goes to MSU.

[gtowndawg]

Great post

[msstatelp1]

Great discussion.

Couple all of this with our "Brand Ambassadors" in athletics right now - Dak on GMA this morning pushing cancer awareness with a star from one of the top TV comedies (plus everything else Dak is on); Fletcher Cox being the highest paid former SEC football player on the planet; Darius Slay leading kids camps in 2 different cities; Brent Rooker winning a Triple Crown and tearing up his first MiL assignment; Buck Showalter having the Orioles in the AL East fight again; our Women's Final Four team; Mitch Moreland leading the Red Sox; Hunter Renfroe pushing for ROY; Johnathan Holder pitching well in Yankee Stadium; Top 25 Teams in M&W Tennis; Top 25 Teams in Track; another post season in Softball, another MPG Supercar winner.

And what does Ole Miss have? Eli throwing interceptions? What else? Any positives.

We are entering a Golden Age of MSU Athletics and Academics. We will win a Natty in a Big 3 within the next few years. We will no longer be confused with the school up north -especially after the hammer drops from the NCAA. Great time to be associated with MSU.

Even though she's not a grad, don't forget Robin Roberts. I think she's as proud of State as any of us.

[Martianlander]

Excellent analysis.

[SaintDawg]

Let this sink in: MSU last 3 ADs, who all still love MSU, are a leader in the SEC office, Bama AD, and Fla AD. AND the SEC commissioner's daughter goes to MSU.
https://i.imgflip.com/1rnnl3.jpg (I'll show myself out)

[TrapGame]

A+ Beast. Fine work.

[Bully13]

https://i.imgflip.com/1rnnl3.jpg (I'll show myself out)

I would like to nominate this the best 532nd post in ED history. nice Saint. , thank you sir. LMAO.

[Reason2succeed]

We will no longer be the redheaded step child of the SEC that we were when we went to the SEC Championship game in 1998.

[Reason2succeed]

We will no longer be the redheaded step child of the SEC that we were when we went to the SEC Championship game in 1998.

[Boodawg]

Great discussion.

Couple all of this with our "Brand Ambassadors" in athletics right now - Dak on GMA this morning pushing cancer awareness with a star from one of the top TV comedies (plus everything else Dak is on); Fletcher Cox being the highest paid former SEC football player on the planet; Darius Slay leading kids camps in 2 different cities; Brent Rooker winning a Triple Crown and tearing up his first MiL assignment; Buck Showalter having the Orioles in the AL East fight again; our Women's Final Four team; Mitch Moreland leading the Red Sox; Hunter Renfroe pushing for ROY; Johnathan Holder pitching well in Yankee Stadium; Top 25 Teams in M&W Tennis; Top 25 Teams in Track; another post season in Softball, another MPG Supercar winner.

And what does Ole Miss have? Eli throwing interceptions? What else? Any positives.

We are entering a Golden Age of MSU Athletics and Academics. We will win a Natty in a Big 3 within the next few years. We will no longer be confused with the school up north -especially after the hammer drops from the NCAA. Great time to be associated with MSU.

And I think Boobie is leading some camps as well.

[JDog13]

I hate you for making me read all that, but it was good.

[SaintDawg]

I would like to nominate this the best 532nd post in ED history. nice Saint. , thank you sir. LMAO.
No sir... thank you. ;)

[BeastMan]

I hate you for making me read all that, but it was good.

https://media.tenor.com/images/a469461ce4b7aa91dcc853df8dca5025/tenor.gif

[msbulldog]

Thanks Beastman for that post, really makes you proud to be part of the MSU family!
We have to stay on top of things, as we all know there are those in this state that would like to see us tumble.

[Dawgology]

Now all we need is a journalism program and we will be golden...

[DawgHouseUnited]

Just a thought, but if anyone with a mascot identity crisis and had trouble forgetting old times reads that, they will probably stock up on the tinfoil.

"Look at all those connections! That just proves that it IS the mutts conspiring to bring us down!"

[BeastMan]

Just a thought, but if anyone with a mascot identity crisis and had trouble forgetting old times reads that, they will probably stock up on the tinfoil.

"Look at all those connections! That just proves that it IS the mutts conspiring to bring us down!"


Let me give you an illustration. If you walk in a bar full of strangers and act like a wasted, entitled prick, you'll get your ass beat. If you walk in a bar full of friends and act like a wasted, entitled prick, they'll probably laugh and someone will call you a cab home. The next day they'll tell you you were out of control.

Having friends is important

[IMissJack]

OM is attracting more out of state students than in state students. Those students go back home and don't add voters to MS. I see MSU continuing to gain political ground in the State of MS as long as that happens.

[WSOPdawg]

Great post, Beastman! That was a great read and well thought out.

[Mobile Bay]

Let me give you an illustration. If you walk in a bar full of strangers and act like a wasted, entitled prick, you'll get your ass beat. If you walk in a bar full of friends and act like a wasted, entitled prick, they'll probably laugh and someone will call you a cab home. The next day they'll tell you you were out of control.

Having friends is important

Acting like a wasted entitled prick is TSUN's forte.

[jbjones]

Great OP, Beast, well done.


Let me give you an illustration. If you walk in a bar full of strangers and act like a wasted, entitled prick, you'll get your ass beat. If you walk in a bar full of friends and act like a wasted, entitled prick, they'll probably laugh and someone will call you a cab home. The next day they'll tell you you were out of control.

Having friends is important

I think that ship has sailed. Once they went full scorched-earth, they'll never find themselves in a "bar full of friends".

[ShotgunDawg]

Now all we need is a journalism program and we will be golden...

We need this more than we need a law school or medical school. Law & medical degrees are post graduate degrees & thus OM's programs have many MSU people in it. Journalism is an undergrad degree &, by not having that curriculum, we suffer in the press.

[Perpetual Underachiever]

Let this sink in: MSU last 3 ADs, who all still love MSU, are a leader in the SEC office, Bama AD, and Fla AD. AND the SEC commissioner's daughter goes to MSU.

Excellent post as always Beast. Another extremely powerful ally that is often forgotten is University of Alabama Chancellor Ray Hayes. In addition to him and his wife being MSU grads, he worked for MSU two different times with the most recent being VP of finance during the Foglesong era. He was the mastermind behind the junction and took our finances to the next level. To this day he is still a HUGE advocate for the Bulldawgs

[msbulldog]

Excellent post as always Beast. Another extremely powerful ally that is often forgotten is University of Alabama Chancellor Ray Hayes. In addition to him and his wife being MSU grads, he worked for MSU two different times with the most recent being VP of finance during the Foglesong era. He was the mastermind behind the junction and took our finances to the next level. To this day he is still a HUGE advocate for the Bulldawgs

No $hit, boy I sure didn't know that. (Reckon we can get him to fire little Nickie?)

[notsofarawaydawg]

Great discussion.

Couple all of this with our "Brand Ambassadors" in athletics right now - Dak on GMA this morning pushing cancer awareness with a star from one of the top TV comedies (plus everything else Dak is on); Fletcher Cox being the highest paid former SEC football player on the planet; Darius Slay leading kids camps in 2 different cities; Brent Rooker winning a Triple Crown and tearing up his first MiL assignment; Buck Showalter having the Orioles in the AL East fight again; our Women's Final Four team; Mitch Moreland leading the Red Sox; Hunter Renfroe pushing for ROY; Johnathan Holder pitching well in Yankee Stadium; Top 25 Teams in M&W Tennis; Top 25 Teams in Track; another post season in Softball, another MPG Supercar winner.

And what does Ole Miss have? Eli throwing interceptions? What else? Any positives.

We are entering a Golden Age of MSU Athletics and Academics. We will win a Natty in a Big 3 within the next few years. We will no longer be confused with the school up north -especially after the hammer drops from the NCAA. Great time to be associated with MSU.

Aw man. How can you put down Bo Wallace? He's the latest celebrity for Ole Miss. I'll be Zima will be knocking at his door for a contract. He made WCBI news in an almost nude photograph. I'm sure that photo is on every frat member's wall at Ole Miss and sells for a hefty price. **

[Perpetual Underachiever]

BUMP. This thread is much more deserving of Page 1 than EVERYTHING i'm currently seeing. Thanks again for the the OP Beastman

[BulldogBear]

This needs a bump

[Lord McBuckethead]

Well Played. Still all true too, according to some new info.

[Jack Lambert]

Now all we need is a journalism program and we will be golden...

We don't need that. We need some rich boosters to buy the CL or start a new paper and make them be balanced. I don't want a paper to cater to Miss State or anyone. Just report what is true and report everything and not look the other way.

[Johnson85]

Now I'd be remiss if I didn't mention OM's power in the state legislature where I believe they are still the power. The gap is closed but they still have the edge. Also, they have the edge in power alumni in the state. Big-time litigation will do that for you but I don't think we'll see that windfall ever again.


I'm not sure there is a gap anymore in the legislature. You have Phil Bryant who is a USM guy (I recognize he's not in the legislature, but it still matters for what moves through the legislature).

If you look at the Senate, you have:

Tate - who is a Milsaps guy.
Eugene Clark leading appropriations, an MSU guy
Briggs Hobson vice chair of appropriations, a UM guy
Gray Tollision chair of education, a UM guy
Chris Caughman vice chair of education, a Belhaven graduate (no clue if he cheers for another team)
Joey Fillingane chair of finance, a USM and MC law guy
Dean Kirby vice chair of finance, a Mississippi college guy (no clue if he cheers for another team)
Willie Simmons, chair of highways is an alcorn st and Delta state guy
Dennis DeBar, Jr., Vice-Chairman of highways and transportation is an MC Law and University of Central Florida guy.



In the House:
Gunn is Baylor undergrad and Ole Miss law school guy.
John Read chairs appropriations and is a NE Louisiana guy; no clue if he cheers for anybody in state
Mac Huddleston is vice chair of appropraitions and is a MSU grad
Charles Busby is chair of transportation and is a South Alabama grad
Steve Massengill is vice-chair of transportation and no clue if he cheers for a college team.
Nolan Mettetal is chair of universities and colleges and is a UM guy
Gregory Holloway is vice chair of universities and is a JSU guy

State may be underrepresented, but the representation is spread enough and key committee positions spread enough that I don't think UM could push anything MSU didn't sign off on and vice versa.

[Schultzy]

...has been run...

[Leeshouldveflanked]

Massegill is %100 MSU...Donnie Bell chairman or workforce development is %100 MSU

[Reunion Dog]

you are nuts if you think Florida has more pull than Alabama regarding the male cheerleader from Jackson Prep.
you are nuts if you think Amy Tuck has any pull in Jackson. She couldn't even pass the bar exam....

Keenum was Chief of Staff for Cochran and learned much from that experience as well as his wife, Rhonda is a HUGE POWER PLAYER IN DC...
another former Chief of Staff for Cochran is President of Entergy, MS, although he was a KA at State... good guy... VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE.

LT is our biggest ambassodor in the SEC office and still has stroke Nationally... the idiots that ran him off were clueless... He knows more about being an AD and the SEC than anyone in the country.

some of your points are valid.... but some are just ridiculous....

[BeastMan]

you are nuts if you think Florida has more pull than Alabama regarding the male cheerleader from Jackson Prep.

Show me where I said that. Regarding Strick, you have some issues man. You use every opportunity to dog him while praising LT in the same post. LT is a huge asset and a great Bulldog but you may be 1 of like 10 people who think it wasn't time to go a new route.


You are nuts if you think Amy Tuck has any pull

You're so right. The former Lt Gov of the state is a nobody**


some of your points are valid... but some are just ridiculous..,

I really just stated facts to paint an overarching picture. Tell me one ridiculous point I made.

[JoseBrown]

Great discussion.

Couple all of this with our "Brand Ambassadors" in athletics right now - Dak on GMA this morning pushing cancer awareness with a star from one of the top TV comedies (plus everything else Dak is on); Fletcher Cox being the highest paid former SEC football player on the planet; Darius Slay leading kids camps in 2 different cities; Brent Rooker winning a Triple Crown and tearing up his first MiL assignment; Buck Showalter having the Orioles in the AL East fight again; our Women's Final Four team; Mitch Moreland leading the Red Sox; Hunter Renfroe pushing for ROY; Johnathan Holder pitching well in Yankee Stadium; Top 25 Teams in M&W Tennis; Top 25 Teams in Track; another post season in Softball, another MPG Supercar winner.

And what does Ole Miss have? Eli throwing interceptions? What else? Any positives.

We are entering a Golden Age of MSU Athletics and Academics. We will win a Natty in a Big 3 within the next few years. We will no longer be confused with the school up north -especially after the hammer drops from the NCAA. Great time to be associated with MSU.

Greg Hardy. Guns. Women. Suspensions...
Nkimchee. Window jumping. Drugs. Flop.
Tunsil. Most memorable draft night. Drugs.
Paidwell. High school level skills. First rounder with one catch. Learning his position in NFL.
Freeze. What else can be said.
Multiples of coaches. About to get awarded show causes. Cheaters. Liars.
Bjerk. Rasslin belt. Destroyed an athletic Dept. Or three.
Rotating chancellors.
Boosters. Disassociated. Sued young student athletes. Still cheating.
Traditions. Banning. Changing.
University. Liars. Cheaters.
Close media. Cultish. Clannish. Liars.
Defense. Landsharks. Suck. 55.
Quarterbacks. Machine gun. AK-47. Bad Bo. Kicked off former teams.
You can add many more, but there has really been a bad culture up there for years.


Good: Eli....