Penn State Clips' concerns about Dan Mullen

A television station is reporting that Mississippi State head coach Dan Mullen is on the verge of signing a contract to become Joe Paterno's successor.

We are skeptical of this story. The time frame seems way too compressed, as Penn State announced only yesterday the formation of the football coach search committee.

All this being said, we have grave concerns about Dan Mullen as the next head coach of the Nittany Lions...

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Our first concern with Dan Mullen is recruiting.

Brady Hoke is doing a tremendous job at Michigan, with a #2 national ranking so far for the Class of 2012. You know Urban Meyer is going to light it up at Ohio State. Wisconsin is in great shape with Bret Bielema and Nebraska is pretty happy with Bo Pelini.

Meanwhile, here are the national rankings of Dan Mullen's recruiting classes at Mississippi State, courtesy of Blue White Illustrated...

2009: 25th
2010: 38th
2011: 44th
2012: Not in the Top 50 nationally and dead last in the SEC

Yikes! Talk about going in the wrong direction!

Our other major concern is with Mullen's supposed strength as an offensive genius.

MSU's SEC ranking in Scoring Offense, conference games only

2009: Tied for 7th (22.5 points per game)
2010: 11th (18.9 points per game)
2011: 9th (18.1 points per game)

Again, a disturbing downtrend, with Points Per Game falling every year.

Yes, we're aware that MSU put up 52 against Michigan in last season's Gator Bowl, but the UM defense was horrible, giving up at least 34 points nine times in thirteen games.

What's the problem? Maybe it's the style of offense...

MSU's SEC ranking in Rushing Attempts, conference games only

2009: 1st (46.4 per game)
2010: 2nd (47.3 per game)
2011: 6th (38.6 per game)

MSU's SEC ranking in Passing Attempts, conference games only

2009: 12th (20.8 per game)
2010: 11th (21.0 per game)
2011: 5th (27.1 per game)

Being a run-heavy offense is not necessarily a bad thing. It's certainly working for Alabama and LSU, who are 9th and 12th respectively in Pass Attempts the SEC this season (conference games only) and apparently heading for a rematch in the BCS National Championship Game.

But they are also the top two teams in the SEC in Pass Efficiency Rating.

Meanwhile, MSU has ranked 10th, 10th, and 9th in the SEC in Pass Efficiency Rating under Mullen.

If Penn State hires Mullen we'll be happy to be proven wrong, but for now we're in favor of going in another direction.

Original content Penn State Clips