Your thoughts on the following

[bocephus.sixpack]

Was told Dr. Keenum and John Cohen tried to keep Mullen but his side kept trying to get more money and it got ridiculous. Was Told Dr. K may have suggested that it may be best if both sides just call it a day and each go their separate ways. MSU was not going to be the prisoner in the agreement Can't confirm any of this, I'm just passing it on as it was told to me.

 

[maroonmania]

Was told Dr. Keenum and John Cohen tried to keep Mullen but his side kept trying to get more money and it got ridiculous. Was Told Dr. K may have suggested that it may be best if both sides just call it a day and each go their separate ways. MSU was not going to be the prisoner in the agreement Can't confirm any of this, I'm just passing it on as it was told to me.

Which is sort of weird given Mullen settled to only get 6 mil from Florida. I figured we would have gone as high as 6 to keep him so I was actually surprised Mullen didn't at least get 6.5-7 out of Florida. No doubt Florida has a higher ceiling than us long term but in 2018 MSU is set up for Mullen to have the much better team than what Florida will have.

 

[Msubulldogfan1]

I don’t believe it. In my opinion, he was, and has been, ready for a career change for several years.

 

[aTotal360]

That sounds plausible, but understand that Sexton's job. Mullen is worth whatever the market will bear. And UF was the highest bidder. Are some people naive enough think Mullen would step in and say "Hey Jimmy, that's enough money. I'm good."??? The more Mullen makes, the more Sexton makes. Mullen pays Jimmy to interface with suitors so he doesn't have to.

There is no blame to place here. It was a business transaction that our fans are taking personally.

 

[Msubulldogfan1]

That sounds plausible, but understand that Sexton's job. Mullen is worth whatever the market will bear. And UF was the highest bidder. Are some people naive enough think Mullen would step in and say "Hey Jimmy, that's enough money. I'm good."??? The more Mullen makes, the more Sexton makes. Mullen pays Jimmy to interface with suitors so he doesn't have to.

There is no blame to place here. It was a business transaction that our fans are taking personally.

No, were not taking Mullen leaving personally.

Scott Stricklin taking him is what’s personal. People should know this by now.

 

[Sapsdawg]

I think contract length is a big deal. Starting at Florida with 7 years and 6 mill is 42 mill and that's the starting point. He will renegotiate up from there. With state a 4 year deal at 6 is 24 mill as your starting point. That's a big difference. The 4 year limit is a double edge sword. Can protect you, but can kill you.

 

[patdog]

I doubt it was really about money. I think Mullen had to make a long-term decision to either take one of the top jobs in the country now or stay at MSU for a long time. He wasn't going to get another chance like this any time soon. I think as long as Florida was willing to match our offer, he was going to leave. Rumor all along had been that we would be willing to go up to $6M, so it's not too surprising that's what he's making at Florida. 9 years is a long time in this business. May have been time for a change on both sides.

 

[TheStateUofMS]

He was ready to move on. He wants to win a NC and UF offered him a job. You can't blame him for that. We were in a bidding war with Tenn. He may have gone, he may not have, but the fact is he JUMPED at the opportunity to go to UF.

This summer he said his ultimate goal is to coach in the NFL. I think he'll be at UF until he's close or wins a NC and then jump to NFL if they call him. His eye is on the NFL. The alternative is he wins 8-10 games a year and they may or may not keep him. If he goes 1-3 against UGA, I doubt he'll stick around long.

 

[TheStateUofMS]

Mullen is not worth $6mil at Miss St. He was fairly paid here. He wasn't worth more until he could beat Bama and win the SECW.

 

[thatsbaseball]

I've always heard Don was willing to take a pay cut to get the Miami job. His shtick had probably gotten old to Dr. K...and I don't blame him one bit if he drew a line and told Mullen take it or leave it.

 

[Dawgzilla]

Which is sort of weird given Mullen settled to only get 6 mil from Florida. I figured we would have gone as high as 6 to keep him so I was actually surprised Mullen didn't at least get 6.5-7 out of Florida. No doubt Florida has a higher ceiling than us long term but in 2018 MSU is set up for Mullen to have the much better team than what Florida will have.

Mullen can't just look at next year. I know it seems like the UF job comes open every 3 years, but Mullen can't count on that. If he wanted a job at UF, which has the advantage of being a place he already knows, then now was the time to go. I was at least hoping they would have to outbid us, but they are over paying for him as it is.

 

[bully12]

No, were not taking Mullen leaving personally.

Scott Stricklin taking him is what’s personal. People should know this by now.

What I'm taking EXTREMELY personally is that he lied to our players and our recruits about where he was going to be next year, not to mention now poaching our recruits. I guess all coaches do it, but it speaks to integrity. He's a ***** for glory at the end of the day.

 

[Thebhamdawgfan]

Which is sort of weird given Mullen settled to only get 6 mil from Florida. I figured we would have gone as high as 6 to keep him so I was actually surprised Mullen didn't at least get 6.5-7 out of Florida. No doubt Florida has a higher ceiling than us long term but in 2018 MSU is set up for Mullen to have the much better team than what Florida will have.

He basically did get that amount. There is no state income tax in Florida.

 

[Junction John]

I've always wondered about Keenum and him being in the locker room after all the games. I wonder if he stays close with the players on purpose, so that he can talk to them in situations like this, because he expected Dan to leave abruptly when it happened.

 

[MeridianDog]

Business is built in lies, or (if you don't like the word Lie) on not telling the actual 100% truth. Lots of people every day are out every day looking for a new job and they don't tell their coworkers, or their boss. I did that myself during my 40+ years of professional employment.

Why was I looking for another job? Almost always (85% of the time) for more money. In business, it is the most certain way to get a meaningful increase in salary over cost of living raises, which never cost of living increase, by the way. A couple of times (15%) it was for a better (more shiny/Sparkly) company, where I thought it would be fun to work and where my ego would be fed.

I am certain Dan left poorly. I have yet to hear that he thanked MSU for the incredible stepping stone we provided for him to elevate his financial worth to the big time ranks. All this shows is that he is a man with no class at least IMO.

 

[ShrubDog]

Mullen wanted out since Dak left.

 

[oh yeah]

So you think Dan settled? Wanted a little more but this was the opening that was there?

 

[Msubulldogfan1]

I've always wondered about Keenum and him being in the locker room after all the games. I wonder if he stays close with the players on purpose, so that he can talk to them in situations like this, because he expected Dan to leave abruptly when it happened.

i think Keenum is around the football program because that’s what drives the Universities. Dr. Keenum is damn good at his job imo. He cares about State first and foremost.

Stricklin may be a turncoat, but Dr. Keenum and John Cohen are true maroon and we are extremely blessed to have them both.

 

[Junction John]

I agree with you. That's sort of what I was trying to say. I think he is more involved in football than a lot (or most) university presidents. And it's probably a good thing in these type situations. I was just wondering out loud if that is a thought-out plan, or if it came about naturally.

 

[DawgsOnTheWing]

Scott Stricklin taking him is what’s personal. People should know this by now.

We should have known it when SS left for UF. The moment he left, any allegiance to MSU was dissolved. Not because he cares more for them than us, but because his job requires it. No surprise that SS (eventually) got around to DM, and certainly no surprise DM jumped at the chance.

 

[maroonmania]

I doubt it was really about money. I think Mullen had to make a long-term decision to either take one of the top jobs in the country now or stay at MSU for a long time. He wasn't going to get another chance like this any time soon. I think as long as Florida was willing to match our offer, he was going to leave. Rumor all along had been that we would be willing to go up to $6M, so it's not too surprising that's what he's making at Florida. 9 years is a long time in this business. May have been time for a change on both sides.

I tend to disagree. I guess its all about what jobs open up but if we were to have won 9-10 games next year like it looks like we could have with the team we had coming back, Mullen would have been an even hotter commodity next year than this year. But it is what it is as he ended up with the FL job even though he was like their 3rd or even 4th choice.

 

[dawgdr]

His buyout there is 12 mil so the long term contract doesn’t matter. They can fire him any time. He would have made way more hear. He will be gone in 3 years there just like last two. Power to him if I am wrong.

 

[HumpDawgy]

Since Florida paid him 6 mil, Sexton was going to ask for more than that from us as well as use Tennessee in the bidding war. That's too much for an above average coach. I believe Florida overpaid. We will see. Dr. Keenum made the right call if that was the case. Hopefully Cohen finds us a good coach who will stick around for a few years.

 

[patdog]

It's almost a certainty that a job better than Florida won't come up in any given year. Hell, it's arguably the best or 2nd best job in the country, easily in the top 10. Only Bama has won more national titles in the BCS/Playoff era, and UF has a title just a couple of years before the BCS era started too. If your goal is to win a national title, it's probably now or never when Florida offered the job.

 

[KingBarkus]

I am certain Dan left poorly. I have yet to hear that he thanked MSU for the incredible stepping stone we provided for him to elevate his financial worth to the big time ranks. All this shows is that he is a man with no class at least IMO.

I think you may be onto something. I've seen numerous interviews with him and not one mention of thanks to MSU. We made him a wealthy man. It may be his personality or focus, but I would like to hear some semblance of appreciation. I guess we will hear it before the September game.

 

[MSUDawgFan86]

Was told Dr. Keenum and John Cohen tried to keep Mullen but his side kept trying to get more money and it got ridiculous. Was Told Dr. K may have suggested that it may be best if both sides just call it a day and each go their separate ways. MSU was not going to be the prisoner in the agreement Can't confirm any of this, I'm just passing it on as it was told to me.

It comes down to his *** wasn’t worth the investment. 2-4 in his last 6 Egg Bowls. 14-11 in the last 2 years. Losing overall SEC Conference record. 6 and forever against the Top 25. Best thing in trophy case is a Belk Bowl Trophy. He is not a $6 million coach. He is Tommy Bowden 2.0. He is not Dabo. All the proof you need was last Thursday Night. Glad his *** is gone.