Who Will Be The Top Dog At Mississippi State

Whoever gets the gig in Starkville, it's going to be a tough job to replace Slyvester Croom. Say what you want about his won-loss record (21-38) but he inherited a program coming off 3 straight losing seasons, wounded by NCAA probation and at the bottom of the SEC. All he did was stay the course, return respectability to the Bulldog program and lead them to a bowl game in 2007. 2008 was a huge disappointment yes but hadn't Croom earned a pass, I guess not so he resigned.

So the powers that be at Mississippi State are looking for a new head coach. Don't look for any hot commodities to come knocking at the door. Yes it's an SEC head coaching job but Mississippi State is tough place to win consistently. Recruiting is hard, their are a limited in-state recruits and what little quality high school football players there are divided with Ole Miss and Southern Miss.

Mississippi State would be though a perfect place for a former head coach to rehabilitate their career which is why it wouldn't be surprising if athletic director Greg Byrne contacted Tommy Bowden. Bowden's tenure at Clemson ended badly but he did put together consistent winning seasons, just no championships. This would be a good opportunity for Bowden to get back on his feet.

Other names are starting to surface as possibilities on Greg Byrne's short list. Tommy Bowden has been mentioned. A Memphis TV station reported that Louisiana Tech head coach Derek Dooley was the expected choice for the job. According to the Jackson Clarion-Ledger Dooley has yet to be contacted.

Other names reportedly on Mississippi State's wish list include University of Buffalo head coach Turner Gill, East Carolina head coach Skip Holtz and Oklahoma State offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson.

Boise State head coach Chris Peterson worked with Greg Byrne years ago at Oregon and the 2 are good friends but it doesn't appear Peterson will pack his bags and leave Boise for Starkville.

Peterson told the Jackson Clarion-Ledger: "Greg and I have been friends for a long time. We talk often. He knows how happy we are at Boise and that's where we're going to be." Peterson said.

I guess Bulldog fans can cross Peterson off the list.