Urban Meyer
My candidate for the head coaching vacancy at Mississippi State is Utah head coach Urban Meyer. In his first year at Utah he has the Utes at 8-2 (5-1 in Mountain West). This season he’s also notched two wins over BCS Conference schools (Cal 31-24 and then-No. 22 Oregon 17-13).
Before becoming the head coach at Utah, Meyer led Bowling Green to a 17-6 record in two seasons. While at Bowling Green, Meyer went 5-0 against BCS teams and his team climbed to a No. 16 ranking. Bowling Green finished the year ranked third in the nation in scoring offense with 40.8 points per game.
Meyer’s teams fared well defensively, too. In 2001, Bowling Green ranked first in the MAC in scoring defense (19.5 ppg), rushing defense (86.3 ypg) and total defense (319.5 ypg) and led the MAC in turnover margin both years.
Meyer has worked under a number of the top coaches in the country, including Sonny Lubick, Earle Bruce, Lou Holtz and Bob Davie.
The adjective most frequently ascribed to Meyer is “intense.” His intensity is reflected in all aspects of his coaching style, from his approach to discipline and academics, to his insistence on team unity. “Aggressive and fast,” are the two words he uses to describe his style. In terms of Xs and Os, he employs a spread formation. The quarterback frequently operates out of the shotgun, but the offense is balanced between the run and pass game.
–Ross Dellenger
Charlie Strong
My vote for the new head coach is Charlie Strong. From the names that I’ve heard tossed around, he is one of the most qualified. Strong seems to be in line for a head coaching job somewhere soon, and it would be wise for Mississippi State to give him a shot.
I liken him to a Marvin Lewis–a defensive specialist with great team management skills (check out the Bengals this season to understand what I mean). He should be able to repair State’s underachieving defense while continuing to improve the MSU offense.
Hiring the first African-American head coach in the SEC would be a wonderful recruiting tool as well as a great reflection of how far Mississippi has come in the last 50 years. He deserves a head coaching job at this level, and he could be the perfect fit in Bulldog Country.
–R. J. Morgan
Jimbo Fisher
My pick for MSU’s next head football coach would be Jimbo Fisher, LSU’s offensive coordinator. During his four seasons at LSU he has developed one of the most feared offensive units in the nation. Before LSU, Fisher developed a potent scoring unit at Cincinnati.
He leads a balanced attack by mixing the run and pass to best suit his players. Fisher has no head coaching experience but he has learned under some of the best coaches.
–Jennifer Sheffield
There are a number of quality candidates up for the position of head coach at Mississippi State. Any person State hires will probably bring in a coaching staff of his own to fill the necessary positions.
Jimbo Fisher would be the ideal man for the position. He has a proven track record as a great offensive mind. State has more than enough talent on the offensive side of the ball. It’s just a matter of getting that talent moving in the right direction.
–Carson Young
Randy Shannon
My choice for State’s next head football coach is Miami’s defensive coordinator Randy Shannon. MSU can take forward strides with the hiring of an African-American head coach.
Shannon is more than qualified to lead the Bulldogs back to the dominant team they once were. His 2002 unit at Miami led the nation in passing yards allowed (119.7 ypg) and in pass efficiency defense (83.91 rating) and finished seventh in the nation in total defense (285.0 ypg).
Shannon accomplished all of this with an entirely new starting unit in the defensive secondary.
If Shannon were hired, he would most likely bring most of his defensive staff, including defensive backs coach, Mark Stoops. Anyone with the last name Stoops can coach for my collegiate team. Stoops would be called upon to restore an MSU secondary that ranks nearly last in every defensive category.
–Jay D’Abramo
Rich Rodriguez
Last year West Virginia head coach Rich Rodriguez led the biggest turnaround in the Big East. In just his second full season, Rodriguez revitalized a 3-8 program into a 9-4, 6-1 team that earned a birth in the Continental Tire Bowl.
The Mountaineers finished second in the nation in rushing yards per game (283), and fourth in the nation in turnover margin. West Virginia is 6-4 overall and 4-1 in the Big East. Three of the losses have been by a combined 11 points, including a 22-20 loss to Miami. The Mountainers controlled Virginia Tech 28-7 and trounced Pittsburgh 52-31.
WVU ranks 100-yards better than MSU in rushing yards per game and the Mountaineer defense allows 342.9 yards per game, compared to the 474.7 that opponents are getting against the Bulldogs. West Virginia has committed 18 fewer penalties than State.
Before returning to his alma mater, Rodriguez served as offensive coordinator for Tommy Bowden’s Clemson Tigers. In two seasons Clemson set 69 offensive records and went 19-4, averaged over 300 passing yards and over 200 rushing yards per game.
Before that Rodriguez teamed with Bowden at Tulane where they guided the Green Wave to a 12-0 season
Unfortunately for MSU, Rodriguez is happy at West Virginia and unlikely to leave.
State should look for candidates with his talent and proven ability to turn programs around.
–Craig Peters
Herman Edwards
Just in case the Jets run the table in the loss column, Herm might be looking for a job. He knows the basic concept of all sports–“You play to win the game!” What more does Mississippi State need?
–Jon Hillard
Steve Spurrier
Everyone knows ‘Visor Boy’ wants to come back to college football after flaming out in the NFL. He loves a challenge and might be fired this season by the Washington Redskins.
What better place to come than Mississippi State? If he can win an ACC championship at Duke, imagine what he could do at MSU.
–Jeff Edwards
Bully
As Mississippi State’s No. 1 fan, Bully will always be loyal to the Maroon and White. He is very protective of his home turf and has the potential to get rough and rowdy.
Bully possesses an unparalleled sense of school spirit and already has the respect of all MSU fans. He always cheers and gets the crowd involved in the game, which gives the players emotion and excitement to feed from.
Bully’s also comfortable with being in the public eye. He knows how to bark out orders, and he’s used to being in the doghouse.
–Jenn Rousey
Ted Nugent
He could bring the spirit of the wild to MSU.
–Jake Fagan
Categories:
Who’s going to replace Sherrill May we suggest…
Grant Holzhauer
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November 22, 2003
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