Next Head FB coach

Is this going back to the rumor he was planning on retiring because of his health?

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Originally Posted by HoopsDawg

Klieman would be my first call. He only makes 3.5 so he would at least listen.

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He just signed an extension to 2026 for $4.3 per year

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Originally Posted by HoopsDawg

Klieman would be my first call. He only makes 3.5 so he would at least listen.

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I totally agree, but you are definitely switching offenses. He doesn't run anything close to an air raid.

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Originally Posted by HancockCountyDog

I totally agree, but you are definitely switching offenses. He doesn't run anything close to an air raid.

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Yep!!!

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Originally Posted by WinningIsRelentless

Don?t be surprised if we have a coach before we have a AD. Might have been Leach recommendation.

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I was wondering about this last night... If Leach was seriously considering stepping down.. he would have had some suggestions I'm sure about keeping the program going.

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Originally Posted by ScoobaDawg

I was wondering about this last night... If Leach was seriously considering stepping down.. he would have had some suggestions I'm sure about keeping the program going.

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Yes and with extensive coaching tree and development of coaches, you pay close attention. Arnett is not just a name because he is on staff. Not saying we will or should or that he would accept but he is highly regarded.

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Originally Posted by ScoobaDawg

I was wondering about this last night... If Leach was seriously considering stepping down.. he would have had some suggestions I'm sure about keeping the program going.

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This is the most intriguing thing I've read. If so, who would he have suggested because I'm at a loss on this one. I honestly don't know who a viable candidate would be right now other than.....Mullen.

I know it's not perfect but if I look as an outside observer he's the one that makes the most sense. I think he could keep Arnett, he knows all the connections to keep the class together, he has a track record of success here and I think he's good enough offensively to take what he knows and adapt it to what we have (at least as good as anyone else). I had my problems with how he shopped himself around but would he really do that again after it failing last time? I think he would be more drawn to retiring after us that moving on. Tough situation....

edited: he's also the only coach I could imagine taking the job not knowing who the AD is even going to be.

I don't know if I believe that though based on last week. There weren't many indications he was planning on stepping down and retiring. Seemed to be recruiting and doing bowl prep. If you are retiring, I figured that would have been announced after egg bowl.

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Originally Posted by gtowndawg

This is the most intriguing thing I've read. If so, who would he have suggested because I'm at a loss on this one. I honestly don't know who a viable candidate would be right now other than.....Mullen.

I know it's not perfect but if I look as an outside observer he's the one that makes the most sense. I think he could keep Arnett, he knows all the connections to keep the class together, he has a track record of success here and I think he's good enough offensively to take what he knows and adapt it to what we have (at least as good as anyone else). I had my problems with how he shopped himself around but would he really do that again after it failing last time? I think he would be more drawn to retiring after us that moving on. Tough situation....

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Maybe an OC from one of leach's tree branches? maybe someone he didn't directly coach but has kept up with. I don't think he would suggest Mullen.

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Originally Posted by gtowndawg

This is the most intriguing thing I've read. If so, who would he have suggested because I'm at a loss on this one. I honestly don't know who a viable candidate would be right now other than.....Mullen.

I know it's not perfect but if I look as an outside observer he's the one that makes the most sense. I think he could keep Arnett, he knows all the connections to keep the class together, he has a track record of success here and I think he's good enough offensively to take what he knows and adapt it to what we have (at least as good as anyone else). I had my problems with how he shopped himself around but would he really do that again after it failing last time? I think he would be more drawn to retiring after us that moving on. Tough situation....

edited: he's also the only coach I could imagine taking the job not knowing who the AD is even going to be.

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# Manny Diaz

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Originally Posted by ScoobaDawg

Maybe an OC from one of leach's tree branches? maybe someone he didn't directly coach but has kept up with. I don't think he would suggest Mullen.

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No, didn't mean to suggest Leach would have recommended Mullen. I was just adding my own thoughts to the post.

I don't think Mullen is drawn to us. I think he and his family have moved in and don't have a desire to move back to Starkville based on his on comments on radio just a few weeks ago.

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Originally Posted by gtowndawg

This is the most intriguing thing I've read. If so, who would he have suggested because I'm at a loss on this one. I honestly don't know who a viable candidate would be right now other than.....Mullen.

I know it's not perfect but if I look as an outside observer he's the one that makes the most sense. I think he could keep Arnett, he knows all the connections to keep the class together, he has a track record of success here and I think he's good enough offensively to take what he knows and adapt it to what we have (at least as good as anyone else). I had my problems with how he shopped himself around but would he really do that again after it failing last time? I think he would be more drawn to retiring after us that moving on. Tough situation....

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I highly doubt we hire Dan. Like I said we could realistically get Todd Monken after the playoffs and announce him before or we could get Chris Hatcher right now. We have options but it's certainly limited. I think that's what Keenum will do but I could be wrong. I do think hiring Arnett is very knee jerk at this point.

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Originally Posted by trojandawg

I don't think Mullen is drawn to us. I think he and his family have moved in and don't have a desire to move back to Starkville based on his on comments on radio just a few weeks ago.

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Dan would have no problem using us again. I assure you.

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Originally Posted by trojandawg

I don't think Mullen is drawn to us. I think he and his family have moved in and don't have a desire to move back to Starkville based on his on comments on radio just a few weeks ago.

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I can buy that mainly because he has a son pursuing golf at a critical point in life. It would make sense for that and school to factor into Mullen's equation.

All these lists are great and during a normal coaching we might even be able to get a couple of them. But guys, this is the furthest thing from a normal coaching search we will ever see. First off, I doubt there are many coaches who would take this job presently. It is a terrible situation and either you bring in a new coach and force a staff on him that is not his so he is the outsider or you bring in a new coach and he brings in his own staff and you have 30-40 guys transfer and you probably lose 10-15 recruits.

We are taking a massive gamble any direction. And personally I would take the gamble that we know will keep the roster over the gamble that could set us back 5-10 years. Because if we lose this staff that will happen. Right now our best choice is elevate Arnett and either try to entice an OC to come that has Air Raid experience or promote Hollingshead or Miller to that job and backfill if you need to.

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Originally Posted by StarkVegasSteve

All these lists are great and during a normal coaching we might even be able to get a couple of them. But guys, this is the furthest thing from a normal coaching search we will ever see. First off, I doubt there are many coaches who would take this job presently. It is a terrible situation and either you bring in a new coach and force a staff on him that is not his so he is the outsider or you bring in a new coach and he brings in his own staff and you have 30-40 guys transfer and you probably lose 10-15 recruits.

We are taking a massive gamble any direction. And personally I would take the gamble that we know will keep the roster over the gamble that could set us back 5-10 years. Because if we lose this staff that will happen. Right now our best choice is elevate Arnett and either try to entice an OC to come that has Air Raid experience or promote Hollingshead or Miller to that job and backfill if you need to.

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Where in a tight spot for sure

What olinemen are expected back next season among starters?

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Originally Posted by msstate7

What olinemen are expected back next season among starters?

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all except our Center

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Originally Posted by StarkVegasSteve

All these lists are great and during a normal coaching we might even be able to get a couple of them. But guys, this is the furthest thing from a normal coaching search we will ever see. First off, I doubt there are many coaches who would take this job presently. It is a terrible situation and either you bring in a new coach and force a staff on him that is not his so he is the outsider or you bring in a new coach and he brings in his own staff and you have 30-40 guys transfer and you probably lose 10-15 recruits.

We are taking a massive gamble any direction. And personally I would take the gamble that we know will keep the roster over the gamble that could set us back 5-10 years. Because if we lose this staff that will happen. Right now our best choice is elevate Arnett and either try to entice an OC to come that has Air Raid experience or promote Hollingshead or Miller to that job and backfill if you need to.

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That's what I've been saying but we have people on this board that still hate Leach, even in death, and are willing to blow the entire football program back to the Stone Age to get away from any concept of the Air Raid..

I just hope like hell we have people in the University with better foresight.