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Peter Sirmon: Most Pressing Issues for the New Defensive Coordinator

By Justin Strawn

Aug 30, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans coach Steve Sarkisian (left) and linebackers coach Peter Sirmon before the game against the Fresno State Bulldogs at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 30, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans coach Steve Sarkisian (left) and linebackers coach Peter Sirmon before the game against the Fresno State Bulldogs at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 3, 2015; College Station, TX, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Dan Mullen watches warm ups prior to a game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 3, 2015; College Station, TX, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Dan Mullen watches warm ups prior to a game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

Stay in Starkville for multiple seasons

It’s no secret Dan Mullen has had a hard time holding on to a defensive coordinator. Ever since he has taken the head coaching job at Mississippi State, Mullen has had to replace his defensive coordinator for every season except 2012 and 2014. The Bulldogs need some continuity at the position.

Scott Stricklin and Dan Mullen tried to achieve continuity after the 2013 season by upping and extending the salary of former Defensive Coodinator Geoff Collins. The Bulldogs were able to hold on to Collins after Florida State pursued him in 2013, but Collins left at the end of the 2014 season to head to Florida.

In 2015, Manny Diaz said Mississippi State would be his last coordinator job. To make it even more difficult to leave, the Bulldogs put an expensive contract buyout in his contract if he tried to leave. It didn’t work.

I have yet to see the terms for Sirmon’s contract, but I would assume it will be set up similar to that of Collins and Diaz. The coaching staff needs Sirmon to stay on for a while. The only way the Bulldogs need to see Sirmon leave is if he is taking a head coaching position, not a lateral move.

Peter Sirmon has a lot to do now that he has been hired. I think he is up for the task.

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