There had been rumors of a “mystery candidate” on Jeremy Foley’s list.  But Bob Stoops, Bobby Petrino, Chris Peterson, Dan Mullen, Charlie Strong and even Jon Gruden were the names folks kept hearing.

No one was projecting Florida would hire a coach with no head coaching experience — and a Georga man at that.

Texas defensive coordinator and — former — coach-in-waiting Will Muschamp has accepted Florida’s offer to become the Gators’ next head coach.  And it didn’t take two-and-a-half weeks to land him, either.

“Coach Muschamp is someone we targeted from the beginning and he is the guy we wanted.  He is the only person we met with and the only person we offered the job to.”

If that’s the case, all those Bob Stoops stories really were pure nonsense just as Stoops had said.

Muschamp said in a UF release: “This is a dream come true to be the head coach of the Florida Gators.  I grew up watching the Gators and whatever other SEC team was on television.  I have great memories watching SEC football with my father on Saturdays and playing football in the backyard with my two brothers right here in Gainesville.”

It’s an amazing hire.  Here are a few immediate reactions:

* Muschamp is a hot, hot name in the coaching business.  In the last round of coaching changes, Muschamp was Tennessee’s first choice to replace Lane Kiffin but he turned the Volunteers down.  (Think Gator fans don’t love that?)

* Muschamp’s move also signals that either a) Mack Brown figures to be at Texas a lot longer or b) Muschamp believes Florida is a superior job to Texas.  (Think Gator fans don’t love that?)

* There are probably a lot of Georgia fans who are upset tonight.  As a Georgia grad, Muschamp was viewed as a “someday” coach of the Bulldogs.  You can bet the folks who wanted to blow out Richt and hire Muschamp this offseason are bummed.  (Think Gator fans don’t love that, too?)

* On the flipside, there is a high “Zook factor” with Muschamp.  Sure he’s well thought of and well respected.  But he’s never been a college head coach.  Everyone’s gotta start somewhere and Foley’s rolled the dice that this inexperienced head coach will perform better than the last first-timer he hired — Ron Zook.

* Interesting timing by Florida, by the way.  As millions sat down to watch former Gator Cam Newton win the Heisman Trophy, Foley and crew put out a press release naming Muschamp as their coach.  They didn’t do it at 7pm.  They didn’t wait and do it at 9pm.  They did it right as the Heisman presentation was getting under way.  Now maybe that was a coincidence… but I wouldn’t bet on it.

* With Bobby Petrino and Dan Mullen staying put, it looks as though Gus Malzahn’s choices just became a lot more limited.  But wait… what if Muschamp and Florida come after Malzahn as offensive coordinator? 

The dominoes aren’t done falling yet.

A stunning hire by the Gators.

As I was contemplating the opening line to this story I realized that it could be sung perfectly to the tune of “Help Me Make It Through The Night.”

Take Petrino from the list.  (Or… “Take the ribbon from your hair…”)

What do you want from me?  It’s midnight on Friday and I’m having to type SEC information.

Back to the original point — Fayetteville Fox affiliate KNWA announced tonight that a single source “close to the negotiations” has told the station that Bobby Petrino has signed a new contract extension with the Razorbacks.  An official announcement could come Monday.

Petrino is already one of the 10 highest paid coaches in the nation.  Also, Arkansas is building a $24-35 million football facility at the coach’s prodding.  Those are a couple of the reasons we never bought into — or talked much about — the suggestion that Petrino might jet from the Ozarks and head for Florida.

The new deal is believed to be six or seven years in length and worth more than $3.5 million per year.  There will also be a hefty buyout for each party.

If true, it sounds like Petrino is finally putting down some roots.  Good for him.  And even better for Arkansas.

While one of Florida’s options can now be taken off the board, Petrino’s decision to stay might be good news for Vanderbilt.  The Commodores reportedly have made an offer — official or otherwise — to Auburn offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn.  It’s believed by several sources in Nashville that Malzahn intended to take his time on the Vandy decision and wait to see if his name would pop up at Arkansas or Mississippi State should Florida hire either Petrino or Dan Mullen.

But if Petrino is staying put, that leaves Malzahn to decide — in the SEC at least — between accepting a lucrative offer from Vandy or waiting for a possible offer from Mississippi State.

As for Florida, we’ve heard that Bob Stoops (Oklahoma) and Chris Peterson (Boise State) are 1 and 2 on Jeremy Foley’s current list.  Dan Mullen and Charlie Strong are farther down the ladder.  It’s apparent then that Foley wants to go in a new direction rather than hire an ex-Urban Meyer aide who might be able to keep the old train rolling a bit longer.

Stay tuned…

There’s further confirmation this afternoon that Dan Mullen’s name is no longer on Miami’s board.  The Fort Lauderdale (or South Florida or Palm Beach) Sun-Sentinel says that two sources have confirmed that Mullen has spoken with Miami AD Kirby Hocutt.  Those sources say that no one — including Mullen — has been offered the UM job.

One source tells the paper that Mullen and Temple coach Al Golden are “no longer possibilities.”

A few final points to think about on Wednesday night…

* While various reports from Mississippi and Florida say Dan Mullen has already received an offer to replace Urban Meyer, Jeremy Foley suggests that’s not so.  The Florida AD said today that he hasn’t contacted anyone yet and that he hopes to have his search completed in “two, two-and-a-half weeks.”

* Brandon Marcello of The Jackson Clarion-Ledger has tweeted that he “asked Dan Mullen via text (between 6 and 7pm ET) if he’s happy and committed at Mississippi State.  ’Absolutely,’ he responded.”

* Mullen also said kind words about Meyer.

* Meanwhile, Meyer said that this year’s decision was “completely different” from last year’s decision to step down.  ”I have not seen my two girls play high school sports.  I can’t get that time back.”  (One has to wonder — as Sandra Golden of CSS’ “SportsNite” speculated earlier this evening — if the wall-to-wall news coverage of Elizabeth Edwards’ death yesterday prompted Meyer to re-think his own priorities.)

* Interestingly, Foley said that he doesn’t feel guilty for talking Meyer out of his retirement last year.  ”He’s at peace with his life.  He wasn’t at peace a year ago, and this institution helped him get there.”  Actually, it sounds like giving up football helped him get there.

* Everyone from Frank Beamer to Erin Andrews weighed in on Meyer’s departure.

* Florida recruits were shocked by the news.

* Pat Dooley of The Gainesville Sun suggests that Meyer might have hurt his legacy a little by coming back for one last season, but it’s still a darn good legacy.

* Pat Forde of ESPN isn’t completely buying what Meyer was selling at his press conference this evening.

* MrSEC.com’s ranking of the potential replacements (in terms of likelihood) goes like this:

1.  Dan Mullen — Knows the administration.  Knows the program.  Knows the offense.  Knows some of the current players.  Has recruiting ties in the state.  He provides the smoothest transition possible.

2.  Kyle Whittingham — Has kept Utah in the polls and whipped Alabama in the Sugar Bowl two years ago.  Also keep in mind that UF president Bernie Machen also came from Utah.

3.  Chris Peterson — Has a track record of success at Boise State.  Took over a solid program from Dan Hawkins and has actually built it up further.

4.  Charlie Strong — The Co-Coach of the Year in the Big East.  Strong is Mullen’s equal in all ways but two: he only has one year of head coaching experience and he’s a defensive guy, not an offensive guy.

5.  The Field — Lotta longshots when it comes to the Stoops and Grudens of the world.  Gruden’s an NFL guy.  Stoops will see his Big 12 path to a BCS bid get even easier with Nebraska and the league’s championship game going bye-bye.

* Foley gets tons of credit for being the best AD in the country but let’s remember his budget.  With Florida’s money (and recruiting base), he has a whole lot to sell to prospective coaches.  Still, this man is now one for two in hiring football coaches.  Ron Zook was no Urban Meyer.  The Florida job is so good that it’s hard to imagine someone being a bad hire.  But bad hires are out there.  The pressure’s on Foley to avoid them.

* It’s only a matter of time before  a few conspiracy theories start popping up out there:

1.  Meyer is leaving for a job with the Denver Broncos or Dallas Cowboys.  (Not buying it.  Does Meyer look like he wants to coach anytime soon?)

2.  Meyer is getting out of Gainesville before the Cam Newton mess — including the leaked academic fraud — traces back to him.  (Not buying it.  Even if he leaves, the media, the NCAA and the FBI aren’t going to stop digging for dirt on Newton… regardless of where it leads.)

3.  Meyer is quitting because he has bigger health concerns than he’s letting on.  (Unlikely.  He was open about his esophageal spasms when doctors gave him a diagnosis last spring.  If he says this has more to do with family than with his health, I’ll believe him.)

4.  Meyer is quitting because the losses and the Newton controversy took a big toll on him.  (This one I’ll buy.  ’Cause it’s really not that far-fetched.  Sure the coach might want to spend time with his family, but getting your brains kicked in by South Carolina and Florida State can do that to you.  And the Newton story is a biggie.  In addition to being second-guessed about his team and his staff, Meyer was also questioned about letting Newton leave.)

Syndicated radio host Paul Finebaum had Florida sports talkshow host David Lamb on his program today and — according to Twitter — Lamb said the following:

“I think (Meyer’s) a spoiled brat.  Hell of a coach, but spoiled.  He can’t handle losing.”

then…

“In the long run, this is the best for the Florida program.”

then…

“I think (Jeremy) Foley calls Bob Stoops — I don’t think he leave OU.  Foley then will probably turn to Dan Mullen.  He knows the recruiting base.”

and finally…

“I think a replacement at Florida will be found fast and I think it’ll be Dan Mullen.”

Lamb is a radio host on 930 WFXJ-AM in Jacksonville.

STARKVILLE, Miss. – Mississippi State director of athletics Scott Stricklin and head football coach Dan Mullen accepted an invitation to the 2011 Gator Bowl from Gator Bowl Executive Director Rick Catlett and Gator Bowl Association Executive Committee Chairman Stephen Tremel.
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Mississippi State athletic director Scott Stricklin says he is working on a new four-year deal to keep Dan Mullen in Starkville.  Stricklin told The SDN Bulldog Blog that State will be “smart and aggressive” in its efforts to hang on to its coach.

“The normal protocol for something like this and the way we’ve done it in the past is to rip up the old contract and sign a brand new four-year deal.”

State law in Mississippi limits contracts with state employees to four years at the maximum.  Stricklin also said that he “anticipated a raise in Mullen’s annual salary.”

Mullen will make a nice chunk of change for his 2010 work already. 

“He’s going to have fairly significant bonuses this year,” Stricklin told The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal.  “Which is good; I like that.  I think it’s healthy to have good incentives built into your contract.”

State will not reveal what Mullen’s bonuses are because they say that money comes from private money.  (Something to keep in mind whenever you/we look at the Department of Education’s financial numbers.)

Stricklin doesn’t believe Mullen will stay or leave based upon cash.  “I’m not someone who thinks that finances are ever going to be a part of a decision on whether a coach stays or not.  I think we’ve got a lot to offer as a university, and we’ve got access to talent — we’re in the best league in the country.  We have great facilities, we’re in the process of making them better.  We’ve got great support for our coaches and student-athletes.”

“I don’t know if there’s ever been a coach leave Mississippi State because they weren’t being paid enough, and I doubt there ever will be.”

Mississippi State receiver coach Mark Hudspeth said today that he will not interview for the vacant head coaching position at Louisiana-Lafayette. 

“I am not a candidate and I’m full-speed ahead here,” the coach told Brandon Marcello of The Jackson Clarion-Ledger.

“I’m where I want to be.  Not to say one day down the road a position somewhere wouldn’t interest me, but I’m happy where I’m at.  Recruiting is going great.”

Hudspeth was the head coach North Alabama for seven years before joining Dan Mullen’s staff as State’s passing game coordinator before the 2009 season.

Content provided by All Things Maroon – A MSU and SEC blog.

MAROON Rising

Last November, the Thanksgiving holiday weekend was capped off with a 41-27 Egg Bowl victory by MSU. As Dan Mullen’s almost prophetic words echoed throughout Davis Wade Stadium, and it was clear that the Bulldog Football program was in the right hands, and headed in the right direction. A new QB had emerged, raw and rough around the edges. Though young on Offense and Defense, the Maroon Nation knew that if the Dawgs could build on that rivalry win over Ole Miss, 2010 could be a corner-turning year in Starkville. Fast forward to Saturday night’s 31-23 victory over the Rebels, and the hopes of many, had become a reality. State finished the 2010 regular season with an 8-4 record, and a 4-4 mark in conference play. Anyway, stories are for writers, and I’m a fan first. So, let’s get to our game notes and recap.

(1) Chris Relf 2.0- Over the past 2 weeks, Relf has thrown for 512 yards (224 yds vs Arkansas, 288 yds vs Ole Miss), with 3 TDs. Not only is he averaging 256 ypg through the air, but he is also making a statement on the ground. Relf rushed for 103 yards vs Arkansas, and another 66 on the ground vs Ole Miss (84.5 ypg, in 2 wks). Relf had 354 of MSU’s 498 yards vs the Rebels, and has 683 yards in the last 2 games combined. There are a few reads here and there that Chris doesn’t make, but we all know that the option game is feast or famine. He also needs to develop a more timely, internal QB Pocket clock. But, the kid is slowly but surely, becoming the QB we all hoped he would be. Ole Miss stacked the box all night, and the kid just made plays.

(2) LaDarius Perkins Breaks Out- When MSU played UAB earlier this season, it was an excellent opportunity to rest a banged-up Vick Ballard, while getting Freshman LaDarius Perkins some much needed experience. Perkins, aka ‘Waterbug’ on this site, responded with 18 carries for 131 yards. Ever since we saw the speed that Perkins displayed on that Homecoming night, many Bulldog fans have been hoping that Dan Mullen and Les Koenning would utilize his speed in open space, where the kid could have opportunities to make plays. On Saturday night, it was Perkins who shined, gashing the Black Bears’ defense for 238 yds. Waterbug posted 140 yds on just 3 receptions (2 for TDs), and added another 98 on the ground. It was Perkins’ footwork and speed, that cut through holes in the run game and screen game, and left the Rebels in the dust. Les Koenning and Dan Mullen must read my blog, because we have been begging for a screen pass all year. Saved it for TSUN, so no complaints there. Breakout game for the Freshman, and we’ll be looking to many more of these type performances over the next 3 years.

(3) Defense was PERFECT for all but 10 Minutes- Let’s just clarify how good our Defense was on Saturday night in Oxford. Ole Miss averages 406 ypg, but were held to just 326 yds. RB Brandon Bolden averages over 85 ypg, but finished with 45 yds. QB Jeremiah Masoli who is extremely dangerous with his feet, was smothered for 12 yards on 11 carries. The Rebel Offense came in averaging 220 ypg rushing, and were held to just 65 yds. State led 31-9 to start the 4th Quarter, until the Dawg D and Offense fell asleep. Ole Miss scored on drives of 66 and 80 yds, due to some very complacent play in the Dawg secondary. After a great punt by State’s Heath Hutchins (with 2:30 left), the Dawg D held Ole Miss to just 12 yds on a 9 play sequence to end the game. The Rebs would only sniff the 37 yd line, only by way of a play which was called back due to an illegal block. State swarmed Masoli and Co., for the entire series, and secured a 31-23 MSU victory. State’s D forced just 1 turnover (INT-Broomfield), but had 3 other Masoli passes that should have been picked. For the most part, Manny Diaz did an excellent job of preparing his Dawgs not to bite on the misdirection runs that the Bears live and thrive on. It wasn’t until the 4th, when the tackling and coverage seemed to faulter for MSU. Almost a perfect game, but they played a heck of a 50 minutes. I’d have to agree with Mullen, in stating that-that was the team’s ”best 50 minutes of the season.” LBs Chris White and KJ Wright, finished with 9 tkls a piece. Wright did a remarkable job containing Masoli, and registered 2 Sacks. As for everyone else, here’s a list of their performances: S Charles Mitchell- 7 tkls; CB Corey Broomfield- 6 tkls, INT; LB Emmanuel Gatling- 6 tkls; CB Maurice Langston- 5 tkls, DE Pernell McPhee- 2 sacks, 2 tkls for loss. State finished with 3 Sacks, 10 tackles for a loss (-37 yds), and held Ole Miss on 14 of 17 3rd down tries.  

(4) STILL Not Capitalizing on the Opositions’ Miscues- We’ve been pointing it out since the Auburn game. Whether it’s a fumble recovery, an on-side kick, or an INT. Les Koenning has the WORST play-calling in these type situations. At a time when you are supposed to step on the opposition’s neck, we play it so close to the vest, that it usually results in a 3-n-Out. After Halftime, State was unable to move the ball to start the 2nd half and had to punt. On the return, State forced a fumble at the OM 30 yd line. Bad play calling, and State settles for just 3 points (24-9). On another instance in the 4rd Quarter, Corey Broomfield picks off Masoli on the OM 41. Another 3-n-Out. This trend HAS to stop. Start capitalizing! Turnovers are supposed to HURT the opposition.

(5) Offense is Clicking- 498 yds of Total Offense. 210 of those were on the ground, with 288 through the air. State held the ball for 31+ minutes, including 9:49 in the 3rd Quarter, and 8:30 in the 4th. Relf averaged 22.2 yds per completion, and the Dawg rushing attack average 4.2 yds per carry. State had runs of 34 and 71, with completions of 71, 44, and 22. RB Vick Ballard now holds the MSU record for the most TDs in a season by a Bulldog, and tied the Rushing TD record with his 16th.

Dan Mullen: ["Chris did a good job of managing the game. Their plan was to take away the run. They were daring us to throw the ball and we did. On the Egg & Smack Talk:  We say it to them, too, they know. That’s what rivalry games are all about. I promise you they’ll always get our best shot every single year. It’s something that’s really important to me and we make an emphasis of it. On the Trophy: We’re going to bring this trophy right back to where it belongs. It’s got a nice trophy case right in our building there. To send our seniors out like Egg Bowl champions just like we did last year is huge thing. On the OM late rally: The one bad thing is we got up 31-9, and I was on our guys, and I told them, 'We cannot take our foot off the gas.' And I felt on our sideline, our coaches, for some reason we felt and put it into cruise control and said, 'Oh, we're good.' And all of a sudden we find ourselves in a football game. Chick-Fil-A Bowl?: One of my goals going into the season was to the opportunity to go to Atlanta. We may get that opportunity now, maybe a couple of weeks later than we originally wanted."]

Dan Mullen OWNS Houston Nutt

I know it may get old because of how much I’ve mentioned it, but I was right, this year will go down as playing a pivotal role in the MSU and TSUN rivalry. It was all up for grabs on Saturday night, and OM could have somewhat halted State’s roll, but the Bulldogs grabbed the momentum in the series. State and OM have completely switched places and appear to be heading in opposite directions. With 2 Egg Bowl victories in a row under his belt, I’m sure that Mullen could sway a recruit or two away from the Rebs, and with a possible 9 win season-could do the same for out of state recruits. In my opinion, Dan Mullen OWNS Houston Nutt on and off the football field. And, as I also predicted, that Mullen would run Nutt out of Oxford in just 2 years (tick-tock Doc), is becoming even more of a possibility. Even now, the rumor mill is already turning out it’s whispers, but the thing is, people can notice how big of an in-state swing has taken place, that it’s not a far fetched idea that Nutt could be gone today or tomorrow. I personally see him staying on, but just for another year. The atmosphere in Oxford is by far as dead as I have ever seen it. I’m not just trying to knock a rival here, I’m just being honest. The only 2 times the stadium came anywhere close to the noise level in Starkville, was on Chris Smith’s fumble, and the score on the next play. Trust me, I know what a 4 win season can do to a stadium’s feel (firsthand), but the Rebels are in danger of a lot more than just having a Black Bear as their mascot. If the Egg Bowl crowd was anything like their other crowds this season, no wonder the Grove was the place to be. Mullen and the Dawgs have done the hard part, now they get the Rebs at home next season, with a chance to make it 3 in a row. Pivotal year? I’d say so.

Anyway, I’ll stop talking about the Egg Bowl. I’m going to act like an Ole Miss fan and act like this rivalry doesn’t mean that much to me. What I’m not going to do, is slip on my sweater-vest and penny loafers.

Other News

Miami might have an eye on Mullen and Diaz. Link

Yall see the Iron Bowl? Man, that’s how you blow a game, Bama. Link 

LSU falls to Arkansas. Link

Boiseand Nevada was AWESOME, I stayed up and watched live. Boo-hooo. Link 

Auburnis #1 in the BCS. BARF. Link

State is now #22 in every poll. Link

Caldwell is out at Vandy. Good Choice. Link

Gators fall BIG to FSU. Link 

Your thoughts and opinions on the Egg Bowl?

Is Mullen in control of the rivalry?

Is Chris Relf a ‘true’ duel-threat QB now?

BCS Shake-ups?

Content provided by John Clay’s Sidelines.

(AP photo)

Big news Saturday night was Miami taking the axe to head coach Randy Shannon after the ‘Canes loss to South Florida. And in such situations, doesn’t take long for the speculation machine to start humming.

Two names receiving a large amount of play: Mississippi State’s Dan Mullen and Louisville’s Charlie Strong.

Mullen is well-known to Miami fans for his tenure as offensive coordinator at Florida. All the Gators did was win a pair of national championships during Mullen’s stay. And the Florida offense has turned into a popgun since he departed for Starkville. Meanwhile, Mullen has State in a bowl game in just his second season.

Strong was the defensive coordinator on the Urban Meyer staff that included Mullen. Strong has been a head coach for just one season, but coaxed Louisville to a 6-6 record and bowl eligibility. After three dry years of Steve Kragthorpe, Louisville is on the uptick again.

An excerpt from Andy Staples’ take on SI.com:

Another name to consider is Louisville’s Charlie Strong. Strong has only coached the Cardinals for a season, but he took them from 4-8 to a bowl eligible 6-6, and they were competitive in every game except a 20-3 loss to Pittsburgh. That may not sound impressive, but Strong inherited a depleted roster. Plus, his name has instant credibility in the Sunshine State because of his work as Florida’s defensive coordinator. He also probably would bring defensive coordinator Vance Bedford — a well-connected recruiter in South Florida — and assistant Clint Hurtt, a Miami alum who served as the Hurricanes’ recruiting coordinator from 2007-09.

My guess is that Mullen is the more viable candidate of the two. He is offense-oriented, which Miami is said to prefer. Plus, he has been a head coach a year longer than Strong. Still, Strong is another Louisville coach, who if he continues his success, will be in high demand.