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Re-energized Dan Mullen needs to make Egg Bowl a priority again

By Josh Barnhill

Sep 19, 2015; Starkville, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Dan Mullen looks at the scoreboard during the second half of the game against the Northwestern State Demons at Davis Wade Stadium. Mississippi State won 62-13. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2015; Starkville, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Dan Mullen looks at the scoreboard during the second half of the game against the Northwestern State Demons at Davis Wade Stadium. Mississippi State won 62-13. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dan Mullen seems to be re-energized this spring, and he needs to channel some of that focus back the to Egg Bowl. 

Last week, Mississippi State head football coach Dan Mullen completed the Boston Marathon. Congrats to him on that accomplishment as I know it took a lot of effort and determination to be able to accomplish that goal.

Mullen looks leaner, he’s got a trimmed haircut and some sideburns too. He’s got 100% job security and a fat paycheck every year in Starkville. From the outside looking in, it appears Dan has finally become comfortable and relaxed at MSU.

When I say relaxed, I don’t mean he’s coasting. At just 44 years old, Coach Mullen still has plenty in the tank and there’s no question he has the drive and desire to compete for championships. His quest of completing the Boston Marathon is an example of the fire still in his belly.

By relaxed, I mean he is now able to enjoy the fruits of his labor. Ever since he got to Starkville he was chasing something:

  • the Golden Egg
  • a winning season
  • a raise
  • a football only facility
  • a bigger stadium
  • competing with the blue bloods

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You could even add ‘job offers’ to that list. While some may not agree, I give some merit to the theory that Dan was expecting to take a “bigger” job after the 2010 season. He didn’t get it, and now that he’s continued winning and the money is flowing to MSU (thanks, SEC Network) he’s making so much money it would take an incredible offer to leave. I’m not saying he doesn’t love it at Mississippi State – I’m saying Mississippi State is a much different program than when he arrived. MSU probably looked like a stepping stone eight years ago, but it looks more like a dream job now.

And that’s part of the equation. Coach Mullen has achieved most of those above goals. He won the Golden Egg in year one and had a winning record in year two. He’s now been to six straight bowl games and had several pay increases along the way. Scott Stricklin has spent nearly $200 million in facility upgrades. In the last two years MSU has won 19 games with victories over LSU, Texas A&M and Auburn twice.

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Somewhere along the way, however, Mullen lost sight of his first goal: beating Ole Miss. He won the first three in dominating fashion. It seemed the Rebels were left for dead, but Hugh Freeze has brought them to life – increasing their win total each year and winning three of the last four Egg Bowls.

The last two years have been historically great seasons, but they featured a lackluster performance against Ole Miss. In years past, State might not have played great in their first 11 games but they gave a great effort against OM. It’s almost like Dan Mullen is treating the Rebs like just another game, or less. He was boisterous in victory but flippant in defeat.

Make no mistake though, the Battle for the Golden Egg is very important to MSU fans. There was more pride in January 2014 after a 7-6 season than after the 2014 and 2015 seasons combined. That doesn’t make sense on the surface considering MSU went 19-7 of the last two seasons, but the Egg Bowl losses put a damper on things.

Dak Prescott is gone but there are still a number of really good players in the program, and expectations are once again in the 7, 8, 9 win range. The Egg Bowl will be in Oxford this year for another layer of difficulty, so it’ll take supreme focus and energy to come out with a win in that game.

Dan Mullen put the Egg Bowl on the map. He elevated it to another level on both sides. Now that he’s achieved a number of his goals, it’s time to go back and re-achieve one that he’s let lapse.

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