Shotgun's thoughts on today's events
Sorry for the length:
I spent the better half of my day attempting to contextualize and put today's events into the proper perspective, while also hoping to find something positive. As the news about Coach Collins broke this morning, my first reaction was that of frustration. I was frustrated that after going 10-2, getting to the Orange Bowl, having the best recruiting class in school history all but signed, a stadium expansion, sold out crowds, and being number 1 in the country, it still wasn't good enough and that our defensive coordinator could possibly leave MSU for what is, on paper, a lateral move. I was frustrated that as the news broke, the media began to offer negative comments about MSU's talent level, recruiting ability, ability to win a championship, Mullen's comments after the Egg Bowl, and pretty much anything they could think of to justify Geoff Collins leaving MSU for what is, on paper, a lateral move.
However, as the day progressed, I realized that much of my frustration had more to do with my ego and the pride I had for my school rather than reality of the situation. After winning 10 games, adding on to the stadium, hosting Gameday, going to the Orange Bowl, being the 5th most watched team in college football this season, having a Heisman contender, and finishing 2nd in the SEC West, I believe it is only natural for MSU fans, including myself, to come to the conclusion that MSU is now on the same level as some of the more traditional powers. However, the coaches have to deal with a different reality. While we have come a long way and now are beginning to solidify our brand in the marketplace, the coaches have to deal with the reality that MSU still faces competitive disadvantages in recruiting, is still in the toughest division in the country, and has to operate within the smallest athletic budget in the division. You see, I began to see today's events as a "reality check", and maybe one that was needed.
I don't believe MSU fans have gotten complacent, in fact far from it, but I think it's important to remember that MSU's football program is an entrepreneur that has to work 18 hour days, in a league full of trust funds that were set up years ago, and that sometimes a "wakeup call"/"Reality Check" is needed. It is needed because MSU fans can't forget what got us here and what makes us who we are. Make no mistake, we are no longer your father's MSU. We are now a legitimate SEC team, with a legitimate SEC stadium, legitimate SEC facilities, and legitimate SEC players all over the field. However, days like today are sometimes needed to remind us that winning at MSU is difficult, being an MSU fan can difficult, and it's not for everyone, only people that are genetically superior.
What led MSU to this point was hard work, rolling up our sleeves, admitting our faults, showing a willingness to change, having a chip on our shoulders, having more creativity, and ultimately having more determination to build our program than others. So, while today's events were in some ways a kick in the gut, I think MSU fans should embrace who we are, embrace the struggle, and, no matter how far we have come, let this be a reality check that the job isn't done, and that us, as the fan base can't be satisfied or spoiled. We need to maintain that chip on our shoulders, and continue the campaign to build the best program in the SEC.
At the end of the day Geoff Collins didn't leave MSU because he was offended by Mullen, or because his defense got it's ass whipped in the Egg Bowl, that's just something made up by the media that has never coached a day in their lives, Geoff Collins left because he thought the defensive coordinator job at Florida was a better job, it would help his career to go there, and because he had recruiting connections in Florida that would enable him to attract better players. That is the reality and a reality that MSU shouldn't be comfortable with. Due to that, now is the time to double down as a program. There is no time to listen to the media tell us how helpless we are, or how we aren't good enough. Now is the time to take this thing to the next level. Now is the time to sell out every game next year, now is the time for every student to stay at the game till the final second ticks off the clock, now is the time for every MSU fan to do everything in their power to make sure this doesn't happen again.
Going forward, we will be fine and this, likely won't hurt us as Mullen has proven time and time again that he is capable of making "bad ass" hires, and I expect this one to be no different. He'll take his time, but, at the end of the day, we'll likely get a bad ass that's as good if not better than Collins.
Achieving Success isn't linear and it is rented, not owned. Success is achieved by pushing forward and continuing to push the envelope in the never ending quest to get better. MSU has come so far in the past 6 years and our stock has risen dramatically. Let's take what happened today as a reality check and motivation to make our program even better by outworking, out supporting, and focusing on details that other programs are too proud to invest in.
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