Georgia fired coach Mark Richt today after a disappointing 9-3 season, as strange as that sounds.

Already the move begs the question, as it was posed numerous times in the last several years whenever the possibility of getting rid of Richt came up in conversation: OK, but who’s next?

Several names already have surfaced, but one that sticks out within SEC circles is Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen.

According to FootballScoop.com, Georgia is “his dream job.”

Mullen signed a lucrative contract extension in Starkville following the 2014 season that will pay him a reported $4.3 million per year through 2018. But there are a few reasons that moving to UGA could be attractive to him:

  • Such a move would place him back in the SEC East, where he spent four seasons as offensive coordinator at Florida.
  • The SEC East is much easier than the SEC West.
  • His recruiting base instantly would improve.
  • He can make more money even than his lucrative contract at Mississippi State.
  • Dak Prescott is a senior and has run out of eligibility for the Bulldogs.
  • Mullen may inherit five-star Georgia commitment Jacob Eason should he head to Athens.
  • Mullen’s stock probably will never be higher.

Georgia would be getting a coach who led Mississippi State to a No. 1 national ranking for several weeks last season. In addition to Prescott, he has coached players like Tim Tebow, Alex Smith and Chris Leake, immediately adding excitement to the Bulldogs’ quarterback position.

He’s gone 54-35 in seven seasons as head coach at Mississippi State with what will be six consecutive bowl appearances this year.

If you’re a Georgia fan, how do you feel about Mullen as a potential target for the now-vacant job?