Jude 2

Any opinions??

I doubt it, but again, it's fun to guess.

I think Dabo Swinney has a real chance to wind up in Starkville. I just don't know that Clemson will make him HC. I can absolutely see him going to Mississippi State, though.

Today's rumor mill says Tommy Bowden, Charlie Strong, the La. Tech coach (I think it's Vince Dooley's son), and Skip Holtz are the "frontrunners" for MSU. Of those, I'd take Strong. He's a dadgum good coach, and that keeps the race-baiters off the administration's back. This is the situation Miss. State finds itself in, relieved somewhat by Croom's horrible record and the fact that he resigned. Still, Strong would be a good hire. We'll see. I'd like to see Jeff Bowers with a shot at it, too.

Tim,

This is what I've heard. Coach Croom has a buyout reportedly in the millions. I'm not sure if that will be a single pay-out or installments.

In my opinion, for MSU to eat that and go after a new coach with "whatever they have to pay" (the AD's own words)... I feel that they are looking for a home run hire. When your arch rival (Ole Miss) gains instant success in one year, it's not hard to understand why you would try to duplicate a successful hire, etc. Not to mention, we have beaten them 5 of the last 7 years.

I look for State to go after a Phil Fulmer, Tommy Bowden, Tommy Tuberville, or other proven head coach. Who knows? They may land a monumental hire.

My concern is that they lose a coach (likely pressured to resign) who was Coach of Year last season with a Liberty bowl victory over Central Florida. Will coaches desire to be at a school that pressures someone only one year removed from such success? I know, I know... It's the nature of the beast.

pa

UAB beat UCF yesterday. That bowl win looks less and less impressive now.

Hey y'all,

What I have read is that Croom's buyout is worth 3 million, and he will be paid that. His assistant's contracts are worth $1.85 million altogether for the 2009 season.

I have heard what Dolphan is saying. La. Tech's coach sounds good to me. I just don't see Phil coming to State. I really don't. It would be more work than TN. A friend of mine would like to see David Cutcliffe come to State. He knows the SEC, he has a great offensive mind, and he would have a vengence against Ole Miss. But I don't see that happening.

BTW: Congrats to Ole Miss on their win. I was not surprised at all by the outcome. Ole Miss is hot right now and it's going to be fun to watch them against Texas Tech in the Cotton Bowl if that pans out. As far as the success at Ole Miss, they all ready had the talent now they have a coach so it is no surprise to me at how well they are doing. Once again, congrats on a great year.

As far as Croom being the Coach of the Year last year and his decision to resign this year, I believe his words summed it up when he said that he didn't see this coming and why they played like they did was a mystery. Coaching is a tough job. I liked Croom and like a lot of MS State fans and folks, I wanted him to succeed. I wanted it to work out. A lot of us did. It didn't so that just what it is. Maybe he just didn't have the mind for it. Which is fine! He's a great guy and will land somewhere do good. I don't know where. But I wish him well. As far as blaming MS State, we hadn't cracked the top 100 in offense since he has been here. Come on, don't tell me that is not from a lack of coaching. He has had five years to at least crack the top 100 out of 119 schools. The offense has not made any progress and I would submit that this is the reason for his lack of success.

Last year we got all the breaks and a great defense. This year not so much. So it is what it is and we will move forward.

That's all you can do. I don't want Fulmer in my back yard, and I'd rather not have to see Derek Dooley coach against Saban, who is very close with Vince & Barbara Dooley. But, if Dooley gets the shot, I hope it works out for State and him. Fulmer would have a chip on his shoulder and something to prove to UT. A mad Fulmer may be a good Fulmer for State. I don't know if that ever happens, though. Tommy Bowden? Just say NO! Last thing you need is a recycled recycle. The guy is a historic underachiever, and that's not what you guys need.