Dan Mullen: Fans taking it too far

Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen wasn't flattered to hear the news that Florida fans had started two websites to urge the school to hire Mullen to replace Will Muschamp.

In fact, he considers such websites an insult to college coaches.

Mullen, in an interview with "Head to Head Radio" in Mississippion Wednesday, was asked to comment on the websites lobbying for Florida to hire him, which were launched this week. Florida is 3-2, 2-2 in the SEC.

"It's really an insult to coaches and to players at institutions. Whether they're putting websites out to hire you or fire you or do all these different things, I don't think that does any good for anybody," he said.

"At the end of every season, there are coaching changes, but people put so much in. You're so committed, yourself, your family, your team, everybody's so committed, that I think it's insulting to the job everybody does.

"I know there are fans that like that stuff. I don't think that stuff is great. People can have their opinions and call in on shows, but to take it that far, I don't think it's good for anybody on either side of the fence."

Mullen said that when he was an assistant at Florida (2005-08), some fans wanted him to be fired.

"I know there was a website here at Mississippi State to fire Dan Mullen last year. Now there's probably one to keep me here," he said.

Mississippi State moved to No. 1 in The Associated Press poll this week, making the Bulldogs the first team in the poll's 78-year history to go from unranked to No. 1 in five weeks.

Mullen made it clear in the interview that he has roots in Mississippi and isn't looking to leave.

"One, both my kids are born here. I love Mississippi State. I've loved being here. I love the community. I love the state," he said. "I have a great administration. They've given us what we need to build a successful program. I think we've built that program. We love being here. That's No. 1."

Mullen said Muschamp "is a really good football coach," and he and all college football coaches deserve more respect from fans.

"Everybody wants to win. Everybody's giving their best effort out there. Fans are entitled to their opinion, and they get that stuff and put that stuff out there, but they need to know I've never met a coach that's not going to give everything he has," he said.

"You should respect and appreciate how much everybody in every program puts in to what's going on on the field."