Here's something I hope we don't have to cross but for discussion...

[dawgstudent]

Diaz makes Texas's D a top 5 defense in the nation.

Hudspeth takes ULL to a bowl game with a 9-3 record.

Who would you want as our head coach if Mullen left?

 

[topdawg.sixpack]

I think Hud would be more loyal to the program, as in would probably stick around a little bit longer than Manny, plus hisrecruitingconnections.<div>
</div><div>That being said, if both wanted the job, we would have good options. I also think there would be many, many others interested in the job seeing what Dan has done the past two years when compared to the last search.</div>

 

[Faustdog]

If Diaz has a top five defense he will be on to greener pastures than Starkvegas. I would hope we could get him if Mullen leaves, but I don't see it. We would have a much better chance nabbing Hudspeth from ULL assuming he does well there.<div>
</div><div>Diaz has already made himself a higher profile name than Mullen was at Florida. He will be looking for a job similar to what Pelini or Muschamp got.</div>

 

[Columbus Dawg]

as the head coach is more impressive than making Texas a Top 5 defense as a coordinator. Honestly, how is Texas not a Top 5 defense every year? They already have 16 commitments for next year.

 

[Maroon Eagle]

I'd go with Hudspeth.

 

[Todd4State]

but, if they hired Hud, I wouldn't have a problem with it at all.

To me, being at a place like Texas as a coordinator is at least the equivalent of being a HC in the Sun Belt.

But, it looks like Hud is doing some really good things at ULL already, he would have experience as an actual head coach, he knows Mississippi really well and can recruit really well. The way he is doing things reminds me a lot of how Dan is doing things at MSU.

Diaz though- that's a really elite position at Texas. There is a lot of pressure to win there, and Diaz would come with good connections from Texas and he has ties to the state of Florida.

 

[57stratdawg]

Hudspeth. I think he's a guy that could settle down at MSU for a couple years more so than Diaz.

However, I would like to point out that Rich Rodriguez is still out there. He's be my top choice. I know we drummed him at Michigan, but he's still a top tier coach IMO.

 

[Msudawg985]

I really like Diaz but I still think he is a young coach and needs a couple more years before a head coaching job. but my pick is Hud. I really really like coach Hud. I have heard him speak at a couple coaching clinics and the guy knows the ins and outs of coaching. Really great guy also. I could sit with coach Hud for hours with a pen and paper and pick his brain about his ideas on the game

 

[downwarddawg]

He is so much like Mullen already and is getting his HC experience now. Plus, I think he's a better recruiter than Mullen and would stay here a lot longer than Diaz.</p>

 

[coach66]

**

 

[patdog]

I really think he's going to be one of the best coaches in the business. I realize that Hudspeth might stay longer, but we've got to break out of that mentality of not hiring the best available candidate just to make the "safe" hire. Just like with Mullen, we hired a great coach. Maybe he leaves after 3 years or maybe he stays for 10 or more. That's a chance you've got to take. You can't hire a lesser candidate just because he's "safe."

 

[Johnson85]

I realize that Hudspeth might stay longer, but we've got to break out of that mentality of not hiring the best available candidate just to make the "safe" hire. Just like with Mullen, we hired a great coach. Maybe he leaves after 3 years or maybe he stays for 10 or more. That's a chance you've got to take. You can't hire a lesser candidate just because he's "safe."

If Diaz is very successful (have to be top 5 defense within two years considering the talent available to him), Ithink Diaz will look like as sure of a thing as an assistantcan be. But if Hudspeth wins at ULL, he will have won everywhere he's been and have head coaching experience.He has recruited the area and would potentiallybe willingto stay longterm, whereas Diaz would presumably see MSU as a stepping stone.

Plus, for the foreseeable future, MSU will not be able to pay coordinators to stick around after they are successful, so you are looking at a new coordinator every two to three years. I'd much rather have a head coach that is an offensive coach, allowing consistency in our offense, than a defensive head coach.There arelots ofdefenses state can run with the athletes available to it and the transition can be relatively easy.If State has a defensive head coach,it will be stuck either limiting its potential offensive coordinator pool to coaches with experience in the system it's already running, or going through a painful adjustmentas players learn a new system.

If MSU ever wants to have a decade long sustained success, it's going to have to make a home run hire, and if it's close between Hudspeth and Diaz, you have to go with the potential homerun hire.

 

[DerHntr]

both would be great hires though

 

[patdog]

But this is what I was referring to when I called Hudspeth the "safe" hire:
</p>

He.... would potentiallybe willingto stay longterm

IF everything else is equal, then this can be a consideration. But the attitude that we have to avoid a coach just because he MIGHT leave in a few years has got to go. We have to hire the BEST coach available, regardless of how long he might stay. If it turns out that we're a stepping stone, so be it. I'd rather be a stepping stonefor agreat up-and-coming coachthan have a long-term mediocre coach. If Diaz and Hudspeth are both equally qualified, then yeah, hire Hudspeth. I don't think they're anywhere near equal though (but I could be wrong about that).

 

[futaba.79]

he's been a HC, he's won and, with your scenario, he wins some more. He'd be more apt to stay for the long haul.

Diaz was leaving before Mac Brown ever even knew his name. Don't think he cared for the area.

 

[Political Hack]

Hud would never leave State if he did well. It's his dream job. He has head coaching experience at 3 different levels. He has great relationships with every coach in MS.

Diaz would be on the next big ticket out of town. He has no head coaching experience. He doesn't have a good base in MS.

 

[Foronce]

We lost our 1 and 2 wr last year and our best game was vs Michigan... either Michigan is horrid or hud is replaceable, probably a little of both.

Mirando seems to be kicking *** in recruiting wr's ...didn't we miss on 4-5 in the last 2 years with Hud looking

Hud seems like a great guy and all, but I need a little more results ...for the SEC
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I like Diaz alot, but unless Texas wins NC via defense ...he wouldn't be in my top 5