My Thoughts on Dan now that I am back from Thanksgiving

[Todd4State]

First of all, I appreciate everything that Dan did for MSU. Probably the biggest thing he did is he consistently beat teams he should- which not even Jackie could say that to be honest- and I think he gave MSU a lot of confidence. And I think confidence is what MSU as a program needs more than anything right now to continue our trajectory. I'm not too upset at Dan because honestly, at the end of the day it's a job. He has to do what he thinks is the best thing for him and his family. But to also be honest IF for some reason he had asked me for my advice I would have told him not to take the Florida job simply because he has had known issues with two of the AD's. It would be like one of us taking a small raise to work for a supervisor that we know we have had some issues with in the past. So, I don't think it's a wise move for him. That doesn't mean I wish him well- it just means I think he made a mistake and will regret it in a few years. Florida fans are not going to put up with a lot of the things we were willing to forgive, overlook, and etc. but I'm sure he knows what he is getting into since he has coached there before. The only real problem I have if the rumor is true about Scott contacting Dan the night before the Egg Bowl. Could you not wait until Friday and the season is over? Dan should have also told whoever- Tennessee, Florida, Ole Miss, etc. that was trying to hire him that he wasn't talking until after the season was over. And the way Stricklin handles coaching searches he definitely could have waited until after he whiffed the first couple of times at least.

MSU fans by nature especially when it comes to football are always worried that something is going to be screwed up or not go our way. I understand that and why. But the past doesn't have any bearing on NOW. I trust Cohen and Keenum with this. I don't know how many University presidents have played football at the JUCO level or higher but Keenum has. We see what Cohen has done with the baseball hire which I had some questions about initially and to say the least Cann has far exceeded my expectations thus far. Heck, I like him better than Cohen as a coach and I liked Cohen a lot. We're the best SEC job available right now IMO.

Now, I liked Dan. I think he was the best coach we have had in my fan lifetime. But that said I think Dan leaving could end up being a tremendous blessing. First of all the thing I have read a lot that we "need the most is stability"- well, a coach looking for another job every year is pretty much the opposite of that. He was also not a very good recruiter. It was like one feaux paux after another every year. Why did we have no receivers this year? Signed one offensive lineman in a class last year? Hired a recruiting assistant a couple of years ago that automatically took us out of the running for one of the best players in Mississippi history. Somehow managed to lose a four star recruit in Starkville and West Point in the same year- that only happens if you are lazy to be honest. And we blame EMCC a lot for Rivers and Cole not being eligible but they probably would have had Dan not been so adamant about JUCO guys being here for the spring- often times to only go on and redshirt anyway- maybe they would have been eligible. So, with a potentially special 2019 class coming up that's what we're relying on to seal the deal on it?

Dan was very good with QB's. We'll miss that a lot. But we won't miss Holloway up the middle. Or the lame excuses for starting him that changed from week to week until he got hurt which coincidentally was also the week the A-Train became a football gym rat. The smurf WR corp. And while Hevesy was good this year- hell if I had one good year out of nine in my line of work I'm fired. Hopefully we'll hire someone that will play the best players now regardless of classification. I also won't miss the bend and break defense.

One thing that always stood out to me was also how Dan had a lack of top 25 wins. I think if I remember correctly he only had like one more top 25 win than Croom. So, he ended up with like only 2-3 more of those than Croom. That's about HALF as many as Jackie had so don't give me the poor ol Mississippi State can't win excuse. I think the reasons for the lack of wins go back to again- recruiting and personnel management. Why would that change in year 10? And when Dan did get close against Alabama this year he calls a QB draw on 3rd and 8. Gives Bama the ball back and there you have another last minute Alabama win. And a lot of times the past two years we've been blown out by top 25 teams on the road.

And on that note- Dan was pretty lacking in big games. TWICE in 2014 and 2015 he had a chance to take us to the Sugar Bowl and all he had to do was beat Ole Miss- and failed to do it. 2015 being the worst of the two which was Dak's last game and the team and Dan looked like they didn't give a shit. 2014 was pretty bad because of the 1A/1B crap though. I could include this year's Egg Bowl as also failing (probably) to make a NYD bowl but absolutely they get a pass because of the fact that Fitz got hurt.

All of that shitting on Dan is not sour grapes- it's to say that while he was good, we can do better. And the reason why this could be a blessing is because if we find a good X and O's coach that can recruit well- we could take a major step forward. And I get asked what my expectations for MSU football are from time to time- and it's simply to win the games that we're supposed to win and being competitive in games against top 25 teams. If we keep the top 25 games close, we'll some of those every now and then. That's all I'm asking. So, Cohen get it done and Hail State!

[BuckyIsAB****]

Sounds like you want Lane Kiffin or Jeremy Pruitt to me

[Todd4State]

Sounds like you want Lane Kiffin or Jeremy Pruitt to me

I'm not picky. If it were me I would go with Norvell but whoever it is I will support them.

[BuckyIsAB****]

I'm not picky. If it were me I would go with Norvell but whoever it is I will support them.

The argument against Norvell is going to be he is winning off Fuente's talent (who I would make tell me no before I even asked anyone else) and that hes got off field stuff. I dont care about the latter as long as it aint NCAA related or escort related

[Todd4State]

The argument against Norvell is going to be he is winning off Fuente's talent (who I would make tell me no before I even asked anyone else) and that hes got off field stuff. I dont care about the latter as long as it aint NCAA related or escort related

That may be true- but he has won in back to back years so at the very least that tells me he can coach. He allegedly has a good reputation as a recruiter as well so winning with Fuente's guys doesn't worry me all that much. As far as off the field stuff- like you it depends on what it is.

[BuckyIsAB****]

That may be true- but he has won in back to back years so at the very least that tells me he can coach. He allegedly has a good reputation as a recruiter as well so winning with Fuente's guys doesn't worry me all that much. As far as off the field stuff- like you it depends on what it is.

Pruitt has all the pedigree you could ask for and would be a solid hire. But I think Kiffin would be fun as hell and we would win and win BIG in 2018

[Hasu Dackds]

I too think he'll regret this decision.

[Commercecomet24]

Good post. I agree what?s happened in the past has no bearing on how. Dr Keenum and Cohen are our guys now. They are winners and winners hire other winners. The eyeore mentality has to go. We have money, great leadership and talent. Our admin WILL find us a winner! This ain?t the old days, the poor ol mstate days are gone!

[Todd4State]

Good post. I agree what?s happened in the past has no bearing on how. Dr Keenum and Cohen are our guys now. They are winners and winners hire other winners. The eyeore mentality has to go. We have money, great leadership and talent. Our admin WILL find us a winner! This ain?t the old days, the poor ol mstate days are gone!

I'm actually sort of excited about it.

[BrunswickDawg]

I’ll add that possibly for the first time ever we have lots going for us - known talent coming back, top facilities, Top 15 pay, high levels of support in admin, and a crippled rival that has allowed for a level playing field in recruiting.

It’s funny my wife said tonight - “I know nothing about football, even though I enjoy it. It always seemed like with Jackie you always felt like you had a chance because he would do something creative or unexpect at the right time. but with Dan we ran the same plays all the time even when they didn’t work, and nothing ever changed.”

[DownwardDawg]

I’ll add that possibly for the first time ever we have lots going for us - known talent coming back, top facilities, Top 15 pay, high levels of support in admin, and a crippled rival that has allowed for a level playing field in recruiting.

It’s funny my wife said tonight - “I know nothing about football, even though I enjoy it. It always seemed like with Jackie you always felt like you had a chance because he would do something creative or unexpect at the right time. but with Dan we ran the same plays all the time even when they didn’t work, and nothing ever changed.”

She nailed it.

[TrapGame]

Great post Todd.

Dilly! Dilly!

[Todd4State]

Great post Todd.

Dilly! Dilly!

Dilly! Dilly!

[Bothrops]

People need to realize, we are gonna suck worse in some ways, and be better in others. Hopefully we won't be worse in more ways than we were. I for one, hope we can get a recruiter.

[Bulldogg31]

Justin Fuente makes $3.2M at VaTech.

If we were willing to pay Mullen almost $6M what would happen if you offered Fuente $4-5M?

[ShotgunDawg]

Justin Fuente makes $3.2M at VaTech.

If we were willing to pay Mullen almost $6M what would happen if you offered Fuente $4-5M?

Fuente isn't leaving. His agent has let it be known. It's why you haven't heard his name

[Todd4State]

Fuente isn't leaving. His agent has let it be known. It's why you haven't heard his name

And we see what that really means today as well. If he's making 3.2 million and we offer him 5 he would be crazy to not listen to us unless he is an alum there and I'm not aware.

[ckDOG]

Fuente isn't leaving. His agent has let it be known. It's why you haven't heard his name

What's the point of an agent if all you do is to pay them to tell other people to leave you alone? I call bullshit.

ETA: not arguing he would have any interest in us with a large offer, but dude is available for purchase. Everyone is.

[yjnkdawg]

Justin Fuente makes $3.2M at VaTech.

If we were willing to pay Mullen almost $6M what would happen if you offered Fuente $4-5M?

If he would be receptive to coming here, although he doesn't want to leave where he is now, you would have his buyout to deal with. I have no clue what that would be.