Reading between the lines....

[Bubb Rubb]

But he did that. At the Conerly last year. And he can't or shouldn't respond to what some writer, random poster, talking head throws out their as just possible candidates or some list. There is not a coach who does it now or in history who makes it a point to address all rumors. And yet you want to take that and use it as he is shopping himself every year. Those who are just throwing out names are not a legitimate source to make your case. The majority of those jobs you listed are just plain false or just some writer throwing out names with no sources.

What he said at the Conerly last year was typical coach speak that you hear from a coach right before they leave. "I like the job that I have." I agree that most of the job rumors are BS and most of them are started by our rivals so they can use it against him in recruiting. When he's linked to four different job openings like he was last year, you've got to step up behind a microphone and say definitively, "those rumors are not true and I will be the coach at Mississippi State." There is a big difference between perception and reality, but perception usually has the bigger impact - and the perception is that he's looking to get out - because he's always rumored for other jobs, and he recently changed agents after coming up empty last year on the job front. It's a bad look for the university.

[Really Clark?]

What he said at the Conerly last year was typical coach speak that you hear from a coach right before they leave. "I like the job that I have." I agree that most of the job rumors are BS and most of them are started by our rivals so they can use it against him in recruiting. When he's linked to four different job openings like he was last year, you've got to step up behind a microphone and say definitively, "those rumors are not true and I will be the coach at Mississippi State." There is a big difference between perception and reality, but perception usually has the bigger impact - and the perception is that he's looking to get out - because he's always rumored for other jobs, and he recently changed agents after coming up empty last year on the job front. It's a bad look for the university.

His actual full quote was: "I don't like commenting on other jobs just because it's a waste of time," Mullen said. "I love the one that I have. Not much else on it besides that. Maybe four or five years ago, that was always a big worry for everybody. But this happens every year," Mullen said. "I'll tell you, as always, you're either getting fired or you're getting hired. I'll always take getting hired. It means we're winning and doing well."

Here is a good article from last year with Gary Patterson:

http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/...e51240680.html

You have a point about perception. But on this and other sites an agenda has driven the vast majority of this perception to try and make it fact and blatantly use false and/or speculative material that is misleading.

[smootness]

He has interviewed with other schools- that is indeed trying to leave. Its not fan hysteria anything. Just because his interview wasnt televised doesnt mean it didnt happen. There will be alot of movement the next couple of weeks. We'll see what shakes out. Right now all is quiet

He's interviewed with other schools?! That must mean he hates it here and is looking for any opportunity to leave!

Have you ever interviewed for a job while you had another? Did that mean you were unhappy with the one you had?

[smootness]

He also talked to Georgia and Maryland

Had he wanted the Maryland job, he would be the current coach at Maryland.

[Bubb Rubb]

His actual full quote was: "I don't like commenting on other jobs just because it's a waste of time," Mullen said. "I love the one that I have. Not much else on it besides that. Maybe four or five years ago, that was always a big worry for everybody. But this happens every year," Mullen said. "I'll tell you, as always, you're either getting fired or you're getting hired. I'll always take getting hired. It means we're winning and doing well."

Here is a good article from last year with Gary Patterson:

http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/...e51240680.html

You have a point about perception. But on this and other sites an agenda has driven the vast majority of this perception to try and make it fact and blatantly use false and/or speculative material that is misleading.

We are mostly on the same page here. I do say that the quote above was very coachspeak-esque, as I said before. I don't comment on other jobs, I like the job I have, this happens every year, blah, blah, blah. He can more aggressively dispel rumors and totally change the perception that you and I agree exists. "I'm not going to Rutgers." "I'm not going to Maryland." "That rumor is false." It killed our recruiting last year because he let that stuff float around, because he "doesn't like to comment on other jobs."

[Really Clark?]

We are mostly on the same page here. I do say that the quote above was very coachspeak-esque, as I said before. I don't comment on other jobs, I like the job I have, this happens every year, blah, blah, blah. He can more aggressively dispel rumors and totally change the perception that you and I agree exists. "I'm not going to Rutgers." "I'm not going to Maryland." "That rumor is false." It killed our recruiting last year because he let that stuff float around, because he "doesn't like to comment on other jobs."

It is coach speak but you don't comment about specific jobs normally. And it's usually been the blanket multiple job rumors he has to address, and last year was no different. If not then you have to have a press conference for each and every job and that's ludicrous to do and serves no purpose. The year before he addressed Florida "I think people know that I am happy where I'm at," Mullen said in the interview. "We have great leadership here (at Mississippi State) and I don't expect to really hear from anyone because they know I'm happy here." He didn't name Florida then and he was not a candidate for that job but again rumors and writer speculation.

[thf24]

We are mostly on the same page here. I do say that the quote above was very coachspeak-esque, as I said before. I don't comment on other jobs, I like the job I have, this happens every year, blah, blah, blah. He can more aggressively dispel rumors and totally change the perception that you and I agree exists. "I'm not going to Rutgers." "I'm not going to Maryland." "That rumor is false." It killed our recruiting last year because he let that stuff float around, because he "doesn't like to comment on other jobs."

We keep hearing that his vague handling of the job rumors "kills our recruiting." Is this just speculation, or is there concrete truth to it? Any specific examples? Not disagreeing, I'm just curious to know.

[gtowndawg]

He's interviewed with other schools?! That must mean he hates it here and is looking for any opportunity to leave!

Have you ever interviewed for a job while you had another? Did that mean you were unhappy with the one you had?

Dude, come on. Every job I've ever interviewed for was precisely because I was looking for something better.

[HSVDawg]

Dude, come on. Every job I've ever interviewed for was precisely because I was looking for something better.

To the OP's original point, "looking for something better" and "being unhappy where you are at" do not necessarily mean the same thing. Only Mullen knows for sure whether or not he is happy. One thing is for sure is that out of 120+ D1 coaches in the country, there are only 3 that aren't at least keeping an eye open for a better opportunity (at least at the college level) and those are Saban, Meyer, and Harbaugh. The mountain top is only big enough for a few people to stand on it and everyone else is trying to climb up.

[smootness]

Dude, come on. Every job I've ever interviewed for was precisely because I was looking for something better.

It's because you're open to finding the best job you can find, sure. We should have no illusions that Mullen believes this is the best job he could ever have. That would be naive and dumb. But that doesn't mean he doesn't love it here and want to stay, generally speaking. There is a difference between 'I am completely satisfied with this job but am open to moving up' and 'I just want out of here.' Our fans have assumed the latter without evidence to support it.

Nick Saban was at LSU and won a national title, and he eventually took an NFL job. Does that mean LSU fans should have been looking to can him had he stayed because he was clearly complacent and wanted out? Of course not. Do rumors of him potentially looking into the Giants job mean Alabama should assume he is looking for any opportunity to leave there? Of course not.

Should your boss have fired you had he learned of you interviewing elsewhere because it clearly meant you didn't care about that job anymore? I would hope he wouldn't. We should be prepared for the fact that Mullen may leave for what he considers to be a step up, better job, new challenge, etc. But we shouldn't get rid of him because he is open to that; it doesn't mean he's given up here. That is a break in logic.

[smootness]

To the OP's original point, "looking for something better" and "being unhappy where you are at" do not necessarily mean the same thing. Only Mullen knows for sure whether or not he is happy. One thing is for sure is that out of 120+ D1 coaches in the country, there are only 3 that aren't at least keeping an eye open for a better opportunity (at least at the college level) and those are Saban, Meyer, and Harbaugh. The mountain top is only big enough for a few people to stand on it and everyone else is trying to climb up.

And again, even those guys are probably open to a better opportunity. Saban himself has had pretty consistent NFL rumors for a while.

[Liverpooldawg]

His actual full quote was: "I don't like commenting on other jobs just because it's a waste of time," Mullen said. "I love the one that I have. Not much else on it besides that. Maybe four or five years ago, that was always a big worry for everybody. But this happens every year," Mullen said. "I'll tell you, as always, you're either getting fired or you're getting hired. I'll always take getting hired. It means we're winning and doing well."

Here is a good article from last year with Gary Patterson:

http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/...e51240680.html

You have a point about perception. But on this and other sites an agenda has driven the vast majority of this perception to try and make it fact and blatantly use false and/or speculative material that is misleading.

THIS. Also, don't think that a few of these "highly placed sources" don't have agendas either.

[RocketDawg]

I listened to Dawg Talk on the radio last night. I was encouraged to hear Mullen unprovoked saying things like "yea, next year we'll be playing this one on Thanksgiving, which will be special. Will mean me and my staff will get zero sleep that week, but it will be special to play on Thanksgiving."

He made several responses talking about the youth on the team and how it is frustrating THIS year, but will be worth it next year and the next when all these guys return and HE will be coaching a veteran team with a veteran QB. Kept inferring that HE would be coaching them the next few years.

Might not mean anything at all, and I still wish the SOB wouldn't sleep this week after what's happened the last few years...but I was encouraged to hear Mullen making several references to next year and the next few years, as if he's going to be here and happy to be here.

Just thought I'd share. Disregard if you want Mullen gone, I guess

Sounds good. I hope he's serious and plans to stay, and that we plan to keep him. I think we do indeed have a really good QB for next year, and the year after. Hi could be better than Dak ....

[ShotgunDawg]

To the OP's original point, "looking for something better" and "being unhappy where you are at" do not necessarily mean the same thing. Only Mullen knows for sure whether or not he is happy. One thing is for sure is that out of 120+ D1 coaches in the country, there are only 3 that aren't at least keeping an eye open for a better opportunity (at least at the college level) and those are Saban, Meyer, and Harbaugh. The mountain top is only big enough for a few people to stand on it and everyone else is trying to climb up.

Agree. Sad college football has to work this way though.

[Percho]

What he said at the Conerly last year was typical coach speak that you hear from a coach right before they leave. "I like the job that I have." I agree that most of the job rumors are BS and most of them are started by our rivals so they can use it against him in recruiting. When he's linked to four different job openings like he was last year, you've got to step up behind a microphone and say definitively, "those rumors are not true and I will be the coach at Mississippi State." There is a big difference between perception and reality, but perception usually has the bigger impact - and the perception is that he's looking to get out - because he's always rumored for other jobs, and he recently changed agents after coming up empty last year on the job front. It's a bad look for the university.

Or, "The only way I'm leaving here is in a pine box."

[ILOATHEBears]

Doesn't his name being out there help Mullen with contract negotiations?

A coach must really want a better contract to miss the best player in school history getting the highest award given to a player in MS. He showed at the last minute cause he was asked too...

[shoeless joe]

No that's called "thinking you got the job". If Miami misled him or gave him false hope, shame on him for falling for it. Still doesn't mean he was "shopping himself around".

Are any of you guys ambitious? I ask bc apparently y'all should hate me, bc I will gladly sit down and talk to anybody that can potentially put my family and/or finances in better shape, or put me in a better spot to potentially fulfill my career goals, with a great opportunity. Doesn't mean I'm "shopping myself around"....means I'm not doing myself a disservice.

Maybe if we had a true MSU grinder that embraced everything about Starkville but only made a bowl game every 4 years, y'all would be happier. That way they couldn't/wouldn't "shop themselves around" bc nobody would want their sorry asses.

Along these same lines...it is interesting that some folks don't like Mullen because he's apparently not 100% committed to state. Some of these people also didnt like Cohen coaching baseball when in fact he IS 100% committed to state.

Moral of the story: some folks are happier when they're bitching. And they'll bitch about whatever will fit their agenda.

[Maroons]

legitimate is your word. I'm not saying the rumors are legitimate. I'm saying he doesn't squash them, so they take on a life of their own. He's been linked recently to Maryland, Miami, Boston College, Georgia, Penn State, Florida, Arizona, Rutgers, etc, just immediately off the top of my head. It's a running gag on some message boards that every time there's a coach firing, someone says, "Mullen to ___". I'm not advocating for him to be fired. I'm not part of the lunatic fringe of this board that thinks he needs to be shitcanned. But I do think he brings a lot of stuff onto himself that he doesn't need to. He struggles with recruiting enough as it is, so why would he let rumors fly all over the place every offseason without squashing them?

Because he had a different agent. That's fixed now with Sexton.

He still may leave - I don't know. But nobody here is talking about the role his former agent played.

[CadaverDawg]

Along these same lines...it is interesting that some folks don't like Mullen because he's apparently not 100% committed to state. Some of these people also didnt like Cohen coaching baseball when in fact he IS 100% committed to state.

Moral of the story: some folks are happier when they're bitching. And they'll bitch about whatever will fit their agenda.

Bingo

[Commercecomet24]

Along these same lines...it is interesting that some folks don't like Mullen because he's apparently not 100% committed to state. Some of these people also didnt like Cohen coaching baseball when in fact he IS 100% committed to state.

Moral of the story: some folks are happier when they're bitching. And they'll bitch about whatever will fit their agenda.

Aw yes, some people aren't happy unless they're not happy!