Mullen, Mississippi State taking their time in contract negotiations
Dan Mullen has been a hot name amid the coaching rumors swirling throughout college football the last two weeks, but Mississippi State doesn’t seem to have a sense of urgency in negotiating a contract extension to keep Mullen in Starkville.
It’s not because Mississippi State doesn’t want to keep Mullen long-term. It does.
It’s because MSU knows Mullen wants to stay as much as it wants to keep him.
Mississippi State beat writer Michael Bonner reported Sunday night that Mullen and MSU athletic director Scott Stricklin are in the process of negotiating a contract extension for Mullen that would come with a hefty pay raise. The head coach received a contract extension following each of his first five seasons at Mississippi State, and Stricklin has expressed confidence that both sides will make it six by season’s end.
Stricklin on a Mullen extension: "We've had productive conversations and I'm hopeful we'll get that wrapped up."
— Michael Bonner (@MikeBBonner) December 7, 2014
Mullen has also gone on the record multiple times this season to assert his desire to remain in Starkville despite his name being linked to the other appealing job openings around the country. Most have considered those comments to be a way for Mullen to appease the MSU fan base while still in Starkville, even if that wasn’t actually his ultimate goal.
But Mullen wasn’t blowing smoke up anyone’s rear end when he said he wanted to remain at Mississippi State. As far as Stricklin is concerned, it’s the national media who dictated that narrative.
Stricklin on people placing Mullen's name at other jobs: "Those are the same people that told me he was on the hot seat last year."
— Michael Bonner (@MikeBBonner) December 7, 2014
Mississippi State can also find reassurance in Mullen’s commitment to the university through his recruiting endeavors this season. Stricklin told Bonner he hasn’t heard of a single recruit expressing concern Mullen would leave MSU in the near future.
Mullen said no recruit asked him about his future at Mississippi State. Said he's build chemistry and recruits have faith.
— Michael Bonner (@MikeBBonner) December 7, 2014
Stricklin and Mullen remain will continue to negotiate a contract extension this week, but it appears the head coach will be back at Mississippi State next season. He made $3 million for the 2014 season, and after Tennessee gave Butch Jones a contract extension and a raise Mullen’s annual salary now ranks 10th among current SEC head coaches.
It’s safe to say Mullen will earn more next season. After all, there’s no rush to get this deal done, which means Mississippi State fans can expect Stricklin and Mullen to reach the best possible agreement, not the quickest.
That alone could make all the difference in continuing Mullen’s successful run in Starkville.
