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Michigan State football: 5 realistic outside head coaching candidates if Mel Tucker is fired

By Connor Muldowney

Sep 9, 2023; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Mike Elko looks on before the game against the Lafayette Leopards at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 9, 2023; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Mike Elko looks on before the game against the Lafayette Leopards at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 20, 2021; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Florida Gators head coach Dan Mullen on the sidelines against the Missouri Tigers during the first half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2021; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Florida Gators head coach Dan Mullen on the sidelines against the Missouri Tigers during the first half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

While Dan Mullen is currently out of the game, he could find his way back into coaching via a pretty ideal job for him in East Lansing. Plus, he’s just 51 so he has plenty more coaching in him.

It’s actually hard to believe that Mullen is just 51 because he’s been coaching since 1994 and was a Power Five head coach from 2009-2021. And he had plenty of success at Mississippi State which earned him the Florida job. He was 29-9 through his first three seasons at Florida, but a disappointing 2021 season got him canned (fairly or unfairly, but Florida expectations are high).

Mullen was 69-46 during his time at Mississippi State with one 10-win season and he only had fewer than six wins one time. He was consistent and put the Bulldogs on the map.

Was he unfairly fired at Florida? Maybe, but you can’t be going 5-6 in your fourth season after making the SEC title game the year before.

Worried about his recruiting? Don’t be. He landed three straight top-15 classes at Florida from 2019-2021. When he’s given resources, he can recruit at an elite level.

Mullen is used to being the underdog and he’d fit right in at MSU.

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