Mississippi State Bulldogs: 5 best former players or coaches for quarantine-mates

So if you had to share a quarantine with any former Mississippi State Bulldogs players or coaches, who would it be?

With social distancing and shelter-in-place becoming the temporary new normal, it got us thinking about which former Mississippi State Bulldogs we could stand being cooped up with for an extended period of time.

Players or coaches who would make the tedium seem bearable (Sorry, y’all, no cheerleaders allowed).

Sharing meals, telling stories, gaming, or watching tv and movies would be the daily routine, and a handful of former Bulldogs would probably be excellent candidates for a temporary cellmate at home. Here are five former Dawgs we could enjoy some isolation with for a while.

Give us these five former Mississippi State Bulldogs in quarantine.

No 5. – Erick Dampier, Basketball (1994-1996)

Former Mississippi State and NBA center Erick Dampier may not be one of the all-time statistical leaders in Bulldogs history, but can you imagine getting to play NBA 2K or Mario Kart with him? Plus, having a 6-foot-11 guy around the house could come in handy when light bulbs on vaulted ceilings burn out.

Having played for five different NBA teams, it’s also certain that Dampier has plenty of fantastic stories to tell about life on the road in the league.

Wonder if he can cook.

No. 4 – Dak Prescott, Football (2012-2015)

Seriously, who wouldn’t want to be roomies with Dak Prescott? Known as an overall nice guy with a strong work ethic, you’d never have to worry about laundry piling up or a stack of dirty dishes in the sink. Guarantee you Dak is one of those guys who has trouble going to sleep at night if there’s a mess in the house.

Gaming would be a blast with the former Bulldogs quarterback too. I’m sure he’d make the folks at EA Sports re-think their Madden game rating for him with the Cowboys.

And he endorses Campbell’s Chunky soup. Since there would probably be a ton of it eaten during your isolation, you might get to be a commercial with him after the quarantine is over.

No. 3 – Sharon Fanning-Otis, Women’s Basketball Coach (1995-2012)

Sharon Fanning-Otis may not have had some of the deep runs in the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament that Vic Schaefer has, but she’s the coach who really put Bulldogs women’s hoops on the map. And if you want storytelling, Fanning is the ideal candidate to be locked up with, having experience not only coaching college hoops but as a top collegiate volleyball player and a former Olympic coach as well.

She’s known for being unselfish and supportive, which would be great qualities to have in an iso-roomie.

No. 2 – Dan Mullen, Head Football Coach (2009-2017)

Former head football coach Dan Mullen would probably be at the top of this list were he not coaching the Gators now, but we have to show a little tolerance given what he did for the Bulldogs football program.

Mullen was always inspirational and positive with his players, and it’s a sure thing he’d make sure you didn’t get too low or anxious about what was happening.

The best thing? Enough wine or other adult libations and you could probably eek a few secrets about the Gators playbook from him and pass them on to Mike Leach. You know, for when Mississippi State and Florida meet in the SEC Championship game. Think positive!

No. 1 – Rafael Palmeiro, Baseball (1983-1985)

The top of this list goes to first baseman, Rafael Palmeiro, a member of the Mississippi State University Hall of Fame, the National College Baseball Hall of Fame, and the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame.

The BBWAA wasn’t smart or brave enough to put him in Cooperstown.

Why would rooming with Palmeiro be a blast? If for no other reason, just hearing stories about Jose Canseco, and to have great discussions about MLB’s “steroid era” and which players have been fairly or unfairly penalized for performance-enhancing drugs. Probably a few games of MLB The Show would be on tap as well.

Who are the former Bulldogs you’d like to have as a quarantine-mate? We’d love to hear your lists.