Dan Mullen is widely regarded as one of the top young minds in college football, and he brings not only an impressive offensive resume and a list of NFL-developed quarterbacks but also an energy and passion for the college game. With 15 years of experience in the collegiate coaching ranks, Mullen was named the 32nd head football coach in the history of Mississippi State University on December 10, 2008.
During the past four seasons as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at the University of Florida, Mullen has molded a Heisman Trophy, Davey O'Brien and Maxwell Award winning quarterback, along with a Rimington Trophy finalist and a Biletnikoff Award semifinalist.
In 2008 alone, Mullen's offensive attack ranked third nationally in scoring – averaging better than 45 points per game as the Gators scored at least 30 points in 12 of 13 games. The 587 points scored eclipsed the previous University of Florida mark, set in 1996.
Florida has rushed for a new-school record 41 touchdowns this season and UF's 80 rushing touchdowns over the past two seasons rank second nationally Overall, Florida's rushing yardage of 2,987 this year ranks ninth nationally and is the third-highest total in school history.
Seven offensive players were recognized as All-Southeastern Conference selections following the season in which Florida claimed its second SEC Championship and a chance to play for its second national championship in three seasons.
The Gator offense ranked first in the SEC in scoring offense and total offense for a second-straight season in 2008, averaging 45.2 points and 442.4 yards per game. Under Mullen's tutelage in 2007, UF averaged 42.5 points and 457.2 yards.
In 2007, Mullen directed the Gator offense to the third-highest point total ever by a UF unit and the top single-season marks for rushing touchdowns and third-down conversion percentage. Florida's offense scored 75 touchdowns during the season most in the SEC.
Mullen orchestrated a UF attack that was the only one in the nation to have rushed for a touchdown and passed for a touchdown in every game during the season. He also helped UF score on 83 of 152 drives in 2007 for a league-best 54.6 percent, marking the best number since the stat was tracked by the SEC in 2000. Florida also averaged 7.0 yards per play last year, the fourth-best total in the nation and the Gators averaged 5.3 yards per rush, the second-best number in school history.
In 2007, he helped coach sophomore quarterback Tim Tebow into a Heisman Trophy, Maxwell and Davey O'Brien award winner, 78th Sullivan Award winner and AP first-team All- American among other honors.
He also tutored six offensive players to the All-SEC team: Tebow, Percy Harvin, Cornelius Ingram, Brandon James, Jim Tartt and Drew Miller.
Mullen played an integral role in Florida's 2006 national championship, overseeing an offense that averaged 29.7 points and 396.1 yards per game. In the BCS National Championship Game, he engineered an attack that produced 41 points against a top-ranked Ohio State squad that was limiting opponents to less than 11 points per game on the year. Under Mullen's tutelage, quarterback Chris Leak opened the contest by going 9-for-9 for 99 yards and a touchdown en route to earning Offensive MVP honors.
The 2006 Gator offense posted 76 plays of 20 yards or more, 19 of which went for touchdowns. Florida passed for 29 touchdowns in 2006, while Leak ranked among the national leaders with 23 scoring tosses. Tebow matched UF's single-season record for rushing touchdowns by a quarterback with eight scores, and his 5.3 average yards per carry were second nationally among signal callers. Six different players averaged at least 5.0 yards per carry last season, including SEC Freshman of the Year Harvin.
In 2005, Chad Jackson played his way to Biletnikoff Award semifinalist status after matching the UF single-season record with 88 receptions, a figure that led the SEC and finished sixth nationally. Center Mike Degory was also named a finalist for the Rimington Trophy, given annually to the nation's top center, during that campaign. Both earned first-team All-SEC honors under Mullen's tutelage.
Mullen went to Florida from Utah with head coach Urban Meyer, with whom he's spent the past 10 seasons. While the quarterbacks coach at Utah, Mullen developed Alex Smith – first selection of the 2005 NFL Draft – from a pocket passer into an efficient executer of the spread offense, making him one of the most versatile threats in college football. Smith took over the starting job three games into Mullen's tenure, passing for 2,247 yards and running for 452 to finish second in the Mountain West Conference in total offense in 2003.
The 2004 campaign saw Smith earn National Player of the Year honors from The Sporting News and Sports Illustrated, while also becoming Utah's first-ever Heisman Trophy finalist and garnering final consideration for the Davey O'Brien and Walter Camp National Player of the Year Awards. Smith passed for 2,952 yards and 32 touchdowns and ran for 631 yards and 10 scores on the year, ranking second in the nation with a 176.5 efficiency rating and leading the Utes to a perfect 12-0 season and a Fiesta Bowl championship. As a team, Utah finished the 2004 season third in the nation in scoring offense (45.3) and total offense (499.8).
Prior to his stint at Utah, Mullen served as quarterbacks' coach at Bowling Green for two seasons, putting up 6,627 yards of total offense and scoring 81 touchdowns during that span. In 2002, quarterback Josh Harris threw for 2,425 yards, ran for 737 yards and completed the campaign as the nation's third-leading scorer.
Mullen spent the two years before his Bowling Green stint as a graduate assistant at Notre Dame, making a Fiesta Bowl appearance, and assisted with Syracuse's 1998 BIG EAST championship and Orange Bowl run.
A two-year starter at tight end for Ursinus College in Collegeville, Pa., Mullen earned first-team All-Centennial Conference honors as a senior. He is married to the former Megan West.
Bowl Games as a Coach - 1999: Orange
- 2001: Fiesta
- 2003: Liberty
- 2005: Fiesta
- 2006: Outback
- 2007: BCS National Championship Game
- 2008: Capital One
- 2009: BCS National Championship Game
NFL Players (Round Drafted)
WR Dallas Baker (7th) – Florida 2007 – Pittsburgh Steelers
OG Lance Butler (FA) – Florida 2006 – Cleveland Browns
WR Andre Caldwell (3rd) – Florida 2008 – Cincinnati Bengals
OT Randy Hand (FA) – Florida 2006 – New England Patriots
QB Josh Harris (6th) – Bowling Green 2004 – Baltimore Ravens
WR Chad Jackson (2nd) – Florida 2006 – New England Patriots
QB Omar Jacobs (5th) – Bowling Green 2006 – Pittsburgh Steelers
QB Chris Leak (FA) – Florida 2007 – Chicago Bears
C Drew Miller (FA) – Florida 2008 – Jacksonville Jaguars
QB Alex Smith (1st) – Utah 2005 – San Francisco 49ers
OT Tavares Washington (FA) – Florida 2006 – San Francisco 49ers
RB DeShawn Wynn (7th) – Florida 2007 – Green Bay Packers
Personal Information Birthdate: April 27, 1972
Hometown: Manchester, N.H.
Education: 1994 – Bachelor's Degree in Exercise and Sport Science from Ursinus College;
1996 – Master's Degree in Education from Wagner College
Family: Married to the former Megan West
COACHING ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- 14 years of collegiate coaching experience.
At Florida, as offensive coordinator -
- Called the plays for an offense in 2007 that ranked first in the SEC and third nationally in scoring, averaging 42.5 points per game; also ranked first in the league in total offense, averaging 457.2 yards per game.
- Directed the Gator offense to the second-highest point total ever by a UF unit and the top single season marks for rushing touchdowns (39) and third-down conversion percentage (53.4)
- Orchestrated a UF attack that was the only one in the nation to have rushed for a touchdown and passed for a touchdown in every game in 2007; UF has passed for a touchdown and rushed for a touchdown in 24 straight games)
- Helped UF score on 83 of 152 drives in 2007 for a league-best 54.6 percent, marking the best number since the stat was tracked by the SEC in 2000.
- Led the Florida offense to an average of 200.2 yards of rushing per game and a single season school-record 39 touchdowns on the ground.
- Florida also averaged 7.0 yards per play this year, the fourth-best total in the nation and the Gators averaged 5.3 yards per rush, the second-best number in school history.
- The Gators were 78-of-146 on third-down conversions, ranking first in the nation in 2007.
- Molded sophomore quarterback Tim Tebow into a Heisman Trophy winner, Maxwell and Davey O'Brien award winner and AP first team All-American among other honors.
- Florida's offense scored 75 touchdowns during the season, tops in the SEC and nine more than second-place LSU; scored a staggering 75.34 percent touchdowns while in the red-zone, first the conference.
- Tutored six offensive players to the All-SEC team: Tim Tebow, Percy Harvin, Cornelius Ingram, Brandon James, Jim Tartt and Drew Miller.
- Played an integral role in Florida's second national championship, overseeing an offense that averaged 29.7 points and 396.1 yards per game. The Gators were 13-1 overall and also claimed their seventh SEC title.
- Engineered an offense that produced 41 points in Tostitos BCS National Championship Game against a top-ranked Ohio State squad that was limiting opponents to 10.4 points per game. Chris Leak opened the contest by going 9-for-9 for 99 yards and a touchdown.
- UF had 66 plays of 20-or-more yards through 13 games in '07 (19 runs and 47 receptions), 17 of which went for touchdowns.
- The Gators passed for 32 touchdowns last year after 29 scoring tosses the previous season.
- Chris Leak was among the national leaders in touchdown passes with 23 and Tim Tebow's 5.3-yard rushing average was second-nationally among quarterbacks. Tebow led Florida with eight rushing scores as a true freshman, matching the school record by a QB.
- Seven different players averaged at least 5.0 yards per carry last season: Percy Harvin, Cameron Newton, Brandon James, Kestahn Moore, Markus Manson, Louis Murphy and Chris Rainey
- Helped to develop the talents of Percy Harvin, the SEC Freshman of the Year, Sporting News' SEC Offensive Freshman of the Year and the Most Valuable Player of the SEC Championship Game.
- Produced a semifinalist for the Biletnikoff Award (nation's top receiver) in Chad Jackson and the Rimington Trophy (nation's top center) in Mike Degory. Both were tabbed All-SEC first-team by the Associated Press in 2005.
- In his first year as offensive coordinator, UF wide receiver Chad Jackson matched the UF single-season reception record held by Carlos Alvarez (88 receptions). Jackson led the SEC and finished sixth nationally.
- Florida quarterbacks threw just seven interceptions in 2005, which was one per every 49.2 pass attempts. The total ranked as the best in school history and ninth nationally. In addition, Florida completed 62.8 percent of its passes, which tied for the fourth-highest total in school history.
- The 2005 UF offense faced five of the nation's top 20 ranked total defenses and averaged 28.5 points per game. The total ranked sixth among the 23 NCAA Division I-A schools with a first-year coaching staff.
- Florida was the only school in the SEC to score 49 points or more against a league opponent in two games during the 2005 season (at Kentucky and vs. Vanderbilt). The Gators' 49 points in the first half of the UK game were the most points UF has ever scored in the first half versus a SEC opponent in school history.
At Utah, as offensive coordinator -
- Directed Alex Smith's transition from a pure drop-back passer into a fine spread offense quarterback while at Utah. Smith put up big numbers in 2003, passing for 2,247 yards and running for 452 yards after taking over the starting job three games into the season. He finished second in the league in total offense, averaging 245.4 yards per game.
- In 2004, Smith was Utah's first-ever Heisman Trophy finalist and was also named The Sporting News and Sports Illustrated National Player of the Year. He was a Davey O'Brien and Walter Camp National Player of the Year finalist. In two years, he finished in the top three in nine Utah career categories.
- Guided Smith to a pass efficiency rating of 176.5 in 2004, which ranked Smith as the second most accurate quarterback in the country.
- Helped lead Utah to a win in the 2005 Fiesta Bowl over Pittsburgh, as the Utes became the first-ever team in a non-BCS conference to receive a BCS bowl berth.
- Assisted Utah in finishing third in scoring offense (45.3) and total offense (499.8) and 19th in passing yards per game (263.7) in 2004. Additionally, the Utes had five passes intercepted, which was tied for the second-lowest total by any squad in the country.
- In two years at BGSU, Mullen's quarterbacks powered one of the nation's most prolific offenses by throwing for 5,145 yards and 48 touchdowns and rushing for 1,482 yards and 33 touchdowns.
- Part of the offensive staff that helped Bowling Green to finish as the nation's third-highest scoring offense in 2003 (40.8 points per game).
- Bowling Green quarterback Josh Harris passed for 2,425 yards, rushed for 737 yards and was the nation's third leading scorer in 2002.
- At Syracuse, he assisted in the Orangemen's 1998 Big East championship and Orange Bowl appearance. Two years later, he went to the Fiesta Bowl with Notre Dame.
“He's a really good coach and obviously he's going to get looked at because of what he's done and his history with quarterbacks - he's done pretty good.”
--- Florida QB, Tim Tebow
“Dan and I have been together for nine years. He's a great coach,” Meyer said. “I made a comment, someone was showing me an article, and I said ‘boy his resume looks pretty good.' You work with a guy and you don't realize that. He was with me as a graduate assistant at Notre Dame, we worked together at Bowling Green, we developed Josh Harris, went from there to Alex Smith at Utah and then came here with Chris Leak and Tim, so the resume is pretty strong. We wish him all the best.”
--- UF Head Coach, Urban Meyer
"He's a sharp guy,". "He obviously knows how to win. He's tough under pressure. Wish him the best of luck. He's a good man."
* Press Conference Transcript
* Official Mississippi State Coaching Bio
* Full Video Replay of December 11 Pep Rally/Introduction
* Full Video Replay of December 11 Press Conference
Videos
Fall Practice - Players report (8.3.09)
(video by Clarion-Ledger - Kyle Veazey)
Les Koenning, Jr., a veteran of more than 25 years coaching on the collegiate level including a previous stop at Mississippi State, has been named to head coach Dan Mullen's coaching staff, pending approval by the Board of Trustees, Institutions of Higher Learning.
Koenning comes to Mississippi State from South Alabama, where he spent the past season as the offensive coordinator for the newly developed Jaguar program. South Alabama will begin playing intercollegiate football in 2009.
“I've known Coach Mullen for a long time and our offensive philosophies are very similar,” Koenning said. “This is a wonderful opportunity for my family and me and I'm excited to return to Starkville to help continue to build this program.”
Mullen's view on Koenning
“Les is a great addition to our staff and he's an innovative offensive mind,” Mullen said. “He's been around football his entire life and has a wealth of experience on the offensive side of the ball.”
Prior to his one-year stay at South Alabama, Koenning, 49, spent five years on the Texas A&M staff, serving as offensive coordinator and working with the quarterbacks. He has spent the last 10 years of his career coordinating offenses and calling plays, starting in 1998 at Duke before stops at Houston (1999), TCU (2000) and Alabama (2001-03).
A native of Houston, Koenning began his career with graduate assistantships at Texas and Alabama before being named wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator at Louisiana-Lafayette in 1985.
Koenning then served as running backs and wide receivers coach for Rockey Felker at Mississippi State from 1986-89. He moved to Rice as wide receivers coach from 1990-93 before taking the same position at Texas A&M. Koenning gained a year of experience in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins during the 1997 season before returning to his college roots.
A 1981 graduate of Texas with a degree in Health and Physical Education, Koenning added a master's degree in sports management two years later. He and his wife, Lisa, have two children, Les and Lana.
Education: Master's in Sports Management – Texas, 1983
Bachelor's in Health and Physical Education – Texas, 1981
Personal: Born on February 10, 1959 in San Antonio, Texas
Married to the former Lisa Pihl
Two children, Les and Lana
In seven seasons as head football coach at the University of North Alabama, Mark Hudspeth has helped revive the Lion program and put UNA back on the map as a perennial force in the Gulf South Conference and the NCAA Division II.
In his first six seasons at UNA, Hudspeth has posted the best record of any previous Lion head coach in their first seven years - leading the Lions to a 66-20 mark, two Gulf South Conference titles and five NCAA Division II playoff appearances, including the Division II Semi-Finals three times.
Over the last five years, UNA has the winningest college football team in the state of Alabama with a 62-13 record.
Last season Hudspeth led UNA to a 10-2 record, marking just the second time in school history that the Lions had won 10 or more games in three straight seasons. The Lions also made their third straight playoff appearance and fourth in the last five seasons, reaching the quarterfinals.
Mullen's view on Hudspeth
“We're thrilled to add another coach that has won a national championship and will bring that winning attitude to Mississippi State. The remarkable offensive numbers that his teams put up at North Alabama speak for themselves, and his strong ties to the state of Mississippi make him a perfect fit.”
With a No. 6 ranking in the final 2007 Division II poll, Hudspeth has seen his teams rank in the Top 6 in the final Division II rankings four times in the last five years, finishing fifth in 2003, fourth in 2005 and sixth in 2006 and 2007.
In 2006 the Lions had an 11-1 record, won a GSC title and a spot in the quarterfinals of the Division II playoffs. Hudspeth was selected Gulf South Conference Coach of the Year for the second time by his peers and was also selected Region 2 Coach of the Year by the American Football Coaches Association.
In 2005, Hudspeth led a UNA squad that went 11-3 and reached the semifinals of the Division II playoffs for the second time in three years. Along the way the Lions broke 44 school and six Gulf South Conference records, with four Lions earning All-American honors. Lion receiver Anthony Merritt was also a national finalist for the Harlon Hill Trophy and Lion offensive lineman Lance Ancar won the Rimington Trophy as the top center in Division II.
In just his second season as a collegiate head coach in 2003, Hudspeth fashioned one of the most dramatic turnarounds in NCAA Division II football history and led UNA within one game of playing for the national championship. Hudspeth became the seventh head football coach in UNA history in 2002 and inherited a program that had won three previous national championships and had been the winningest school in the state of Alabama in the 1980s and 1990s, but was riding a three-year losing streak.
The Lions went 4-7 in Hudspeth's first season, then kicked into high gear in 2003 with a 13-1 record and advanced to the NCAA Division II semifinals. Hudspeth's 2003 Lions won the school's seventh Gulf South Conference championship and became the first team in school history to win 11 regular- season games. For his efforts, Hudspeth was named GSC Coach of the Year in just his second season as a collegiate head coach. He was also selected NCAA Division II Region 2 Coach of the Year by the American Football Coaches Association and was named National Coach of the Year by American Football Quarterly, Football Gazette and by CollegeSportsReport.com.
The Lions also had a school-record 13 players selected for the All-Gulf South Conference team, five players received All-American honors and and Lion quarterback Will Hall won the Harlon Hill Trophy as NCAA Division II Player of the Year. In 2003 the Lions broke 37 school records, three Gulf South Conference records and two NCAA Division II National records. In 2004 UNA spent eight weeks in the Division II Top 25 before finishing the season at 5-5. UNA climbed as high as No. 6 in the nation in the polls.
Previous Coaching Experience:
* Prior to coming to UNA he was the offensive coordinator at the United States Naval Academy in 2001.
* He served as the offensive coordinator and strength and conditioning coach at Delta State University from 1999-2000. He helped lead the Statesmen to a Gulf South Conference Championship as well as an NCAA Division II National Championship in 2000. His offense broke 21 school records, 12 Gulf South Conference records, and six NCAA Division II records that year. The offense was led by Conerly Trophy winner Josh Bright.
* In 1998-99, he was the defensive back coach and the strength and conditioning coach at the University of Central Arkansas.
* Hudspeth served as the head coach at Winston Academy in Louisville, Mississippi from 1996 to 1998. He led Winston Academy to a 25-1 record over two seasons including an undefeated record in the regular season (20-0) and the conference (12-0). In 1997 he won the state championship with a perfect 14-0 record and his team led the state in scoring that year. He was named Mississippi Coach of the Year in 1997. He won conference championships in 1996 and 1997.
* In 1994-95 Hudspeth served as the wide receiver/tight ends coach and then the running back coach at Nicholls State University . He helped lead the team to a no. 5 ranking in NCAA I-AA in rushing.
* Hudspeth was a graduate assistant coach at the University of Central Arkansas from 1992-93. He was the wide receiver and quarterback coach and assistant strength coach. He helped lead the Bears to an Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference Championship with a 9-2-1 record. They reached the semifinals of the NAIA playoffs.
Playing Experience:
He was a four-year letterman at Delta State University from 1987-91. He was the starting free safety in 1990 and led the team in interceptions. In 1991 he was the starting quarterback.
Education:
Received his Master of Science in Education degree from Central Arkansas in 1993. He received his Bachelor of Science in Education degree from Delta State University in 1992.
Personal:
Born on November 10, 1968 in Montgomery, Alabama. He is married to the former Tyla McConnell, has one son, Gunner (11), and one daughter, Carley (8).
Overall Record: 66-20
At Home: 35-7
On the Road: 31-13
In NCAA Playoffs: 9-4
vs. Nationally Ranked Teams: 21-9
in GSC Games 47-15
vs. GSC Schools 54-17
vs. Non-Conference 12-3
52-11 in last 5 years
Produced Harlon Hill Winner (DII Heisman Trophy) in 2003 - QB Will Hall
Set All-Time UNA home attendance record in 2006 with an average of 10,463 per each home game with a high of 11,500 in win over Valdosta State
2 GSC Championships (2003,2006)
5 NCAA Playoff Appearances - including the semi-finals three times
Currently has three players on NFL Rosters
HUD COACHING HONORS
2003
* Gulf South Conference Coach of the Year
* AFCA NCAA Division II Region 2 Coach of the Year
* American Football Quarterly NCAA Division II National Coach of the Year
* CollegeSportsReport.com NCAA Division II National Coach of the Year
* Football Gazette Division II National Coach of the Year
2006
* Gulf South Conference Coach of the Year
* AFCA NCAA Division II Region 2 Coach of the Year
John Hevesy Offensive Line / Running Game Coordinator
Coaching Accomplishments
- 14 years of collegiate coaching experience.
- Member of the 2006 Florida coaching staff that guided the Gators to the BCS National Championship.
-Has guided two centers to SEC first-team honors at the position by the league's coaches (Mike Degory in 2005 and Steve Rissler in 2006), while Drew Miller earned honorable mention All-SEC by the Associated Press in '07.
-Tutored the UF tight ends' duo of Cornelius Ingram and Aaron Hernandez to a combined 43 receptions and 659 yards receiving in 2007. Ingram's seven TDs receiving matched Andre Caldwell's team-leading total and his 14.9 yards per reception were the most of any Gator who had double-digit catches.
-The Gator offensive line surrendered just 13 sacks in 13 games in 2007, tied for the second-lowest total in the SEC and tied for fifth nationally.
Mullen's view on Hevesy
"John and I have spent most of the past decade together and we have a great relationship. And his presence on this staff brings even more championship experience.”
-Despite entering the 2006 season with one player with a start at their position, the offensive line allowed only 23 sacks on the year and allowed one or less seven times. The total was an improvement from 2005 when the unit allowed 35 sacks. The 2006 group also paved the way for a UF run game that increased from 3.9 yards per carry and 146.8 yardsper game in 2005 to 4.7 yards per carry and 160.0 yards per game in 2006.
- In his first season at UF, worked with center Mike Degory, who was named one of six finalists for the Rimington Tropy, which is presented to the nation's top center.
- Tutored the offensive line which was part of one of the most prolific offensive units in the nation in 2004, as Utah ranked third nationally in scoring (45.3), total offense (499.7) and passing efficiency (173.4). Utah was the only school in the nation to have its rushing offense (236.1, 13th) and passing offense (263.7, 19th) rank in the top-20 nationally.
- The 2004 Utah offense led the MWC in scoring offense, total offense, pass efficiency offense and third-down conversions (52.3). The unit also scored on 62 of 67 trips inside the red zone.
- Assisted with the development of tight end Ben Moa, a first-team All-Mountain West Conference selection in 2003. Moa was a semifinalist for the John Mackey Award, which is awarded to the nation's top college tight end.
- In his first season at Bowling Green in 2001, the offensive line allowed 50 percent fewer sacks than it had the previous season. In 2002, the Falcon line blocked for skill players who rushed for 2,629 yards and passed for 2,758 yards. Tight end D'Monn Baker caught 10 passes for 109 yards and three touchdowns.
- In 1998 at Brown, offensive line blocked for nine school records, including a record 3,316 passing yards. His 1999 line blocked for 3,262 passing yards and paved the way to four school records and an Ivy League championship.
- Brown ranked in the top-five teams in the nation on offense in 1999, and three of Hevesy's players were named All-Ivy League in both 1999 and 2000. One of them, Drew Inzer, went on to play for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
- At Syracuse, working with the Big East Champion's offensive line, he helped the Orange to a 1997 Fiesta Bowl bid.
Playing Career
- Started three years on the offensive line at the University of Maine from 1991-93.
Prominent Players Coached FLORIDA:
C MIKE DEGORY - Three-time selection to the Rimington Trophy Watch List (2003, 2004, 2005) who was one of six finalists in 2005. Named to the 2005 AP and Coaches' First Team All-SEC team and was an All-SEC Second Team-Coaches' and AP in 2003 and 2004. His 50 consecutive starts (every game of his career) tied for the most on UF's all-time list.
OT RANDY HAND - Named to the 2005 AP and Coaches' Second Team All-SEC team. Played in 47 games with 41 starts including the last 34 games of his college career.
C STEVE RISSLER -2006 First-team All-SEC (Coaches).
UTAH:
THOMAS HERRION - Honorable Mention All-Mountain West Conference selection in 2003. Signed by the San Francisco 49ers.
OG CHRIS KEMOEATU - Cingular Wireless/ABC Sports and SI.com first-team All-American in 2004 as well as a first-team All-Conference honoree. Was an honorable mention all-conference selection in 2002.
TEBEN MOA – First-team All-Mountain West Conference and a John Mackey Award semifinalist in 2003.
OT TAVO TUPOLA - Second-team All Mountain West Conference.
BOWLING GREEN:
OL DENNIS WENDEL – Second-team All-MAC offensive lineman who participated in the 2003 East-West Shrine Game.
BROWN:
OL DREW INZER – First-team All-Ivy League selection before being drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars of the NFL.
NFL Players (Round Drafted)
OL Drew Inzer (FA) - Brown '01 - Jacksonville Jaguars
TE Ben Moa (FA) - Utah '04 - Miami Dolphins
OG Chris Kemoeatu (6th) - Utah '05 - Pittsburgh Steelers
C Jesse Boone (FA) - Utah '06 - Cincinnati Bengals
OG Lance Butler (FA) - Florida '06 - Cleveland Browns
OG David Dirkmaat (FA) - Utah '06 - Washington Redskins
OT Randy Hand (FA) - Florida 06' - New England Patriots
OT Tavares Washington (FA) - Florida '06 - San Francisco 49ers'
C Steve Rissler (FA) - Florida '07 - Dallas Cowboys
OL Tavo Tupola - Utah '07 - Houston Texans
Personal Information
Birthdate: May 2, 1971
Hometown: Madison, Conn.
Education: 1994 - Bachelor's Degree in Education from the University of Maine
Marital Status: Married to the former Kelli Rogers.
Children: Jack (6), Taylor (5), Madison (3)
Bowl Games as a Coach
1997: Fiesta
2003: Liberty
2005: Fiesta
2006: Outback
2007: BCS National Championship Game
2008: Capital One
Greg Knox, who has spent the past decade as wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator at Auburn, has been named to Mississippi State head coach Dan Mullen's coaching staff, pending approval by the Board of Trustees, Institutions of Higher Learning, and will coach runningbacks.
“Greg has over 14 years of experience in the Southeastern Conference and he's widely respected for the work that he's done,” Mullen said. “He also has experience coaching in the state of Mississippi and throughout the Southeast.”
Knox comes to Mississippi State following a 14-year stretch as head coach Tommy Tuberville's wide receivers coach at both Ole Miss and Auburn. Knox was also the recruiting coordinator for the last 13 of those seasons.
A veteran of nine postseason bowl games, Knox helped lead the Auburn offense to the top of the SEC in scoring in both 2004 and 2005. He has tutored six players selected in the National Football League draft.
Mullen's view on Knox
“Greg has over 14 years of experience in the Southeastern Conference and he's widely respected for the work that he's done. He also has experience coaching in the state of Mississippi and throughout the Southeast.”
After earning his bachelor's degree while playing quarterback for Northeastern State, Knox began his coaching career at his alma mater in 1988. Knox spent two seasons as a graduate assistant at Northeastern State and two at Texas Christian before being named to the staff at Stephen F. Austin in 1992.
In three seasons on the Lumberjacks staff as the receivers and special teams coach, Knox helped a program that had won only three games in the previous two seasons to the 1993 I-AA playoffs and a top-25 ranking the following season.
Knox is married to the former Toralyn Foster, and the couple has three sons.
EDUCATION
College: Northeastern State (B.S., 1986), Northeastern (M.S., 1990)
PLAYING EXPERIENCE
Quarterback - Northeastern State (1982-86)
COACHING EXPERIENCE
1988-89- Northeastern State (Running Backs, Special Team, Quarterbacks)
1990-91- Texas Christian (Secondary, Special Teams)
1992-94- Stephen F. Austin (Receivers, Special Teams)
1995-98- Mississippi (Wide Receivers (1995-98); Recruiting Coordinator (1996-98)
1999-Present- Auburn (Wide Receivers and Recruiting Coordinator)
BOWL EXPERIENCE
Coach: 1997 Ford Motor City Bowl, 2001 Citrus Bowl, 2001 Peach Bowl, 2003 Capital One Bowl ,2004 Music City, 2005 Sugar, 2006 Capital One, 2007 Cotton Bowl
MISCELLANEOUS
Notable: Helped Auburn lead the SEC in scoring offense in 2005 and 2004 ... Had three receivers selected in the last two NFL Drafts: Courtney Taylor in the sixth round to Seattle in the 2007 NFL Draft, and a pair of seventh rounders in the 2006 draft, with Devin Aromashodu going to Miami and Ben Obomanu to Seattle ... Obomanu is currently second in AU history with 18 touchdown receptions ... Coached Tim Carter, who was a second round draft pick of the New York Giants in 2002, and Jeris McIntyre, who was a sixth round selection by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2004 ... Coached Courtney Taylor, who finished his Auburn career as the school's all-time leader in receptions and fourth in receiving yards ... Coached Auburn's Ronney Daniels, who set a school record with 1,068 receiving yards as a freshman in 1999 ... Also coached with Hugh Nall at Texas Christian ... Taught classes in kinesiology at both Northeastern and Stephen F. Austin.
Personal:
Born on September 10, 1963 in Rosbud, Texas
Married to the former Toralyn Foster
Three sons, Gregory, Torian and Tyson
Scott Sallach, a veteran of more than 15 years coaching on the collegiate level, has been added to the Mississippi State football staff, head coach Dan Mullen announced today. The hire is pending approval by the Board of Trustees, Institutions of Higher Learning.
Sallach coached at Princeton University for six seasons (2003-08), Dartmouth College for five seasons (1998-2002), Monmouth for three seasons (1995-97) and Hamilton College for one season (1994). At Princeton, Sallach coached the Tigers’ wide receivers and quarterbacks and added the title pass game coordinator in 2008.
Before coaching at Princeton, Sallach had been at Dartmouth for five seasons, coaching the wide receivers and assisting with the special teams, specializing in kickoffs and kickoff returns.
Sallach who, along with Mullen graduated from Ursinus College in 1994 with a bachelor of science degree in exercise and sport science, took his first football job at Hamilton College in 1994 as an assistant coach. After one season there, he spent three years at Monmouth as an assistant coach. In both positions, Sallach was responsible for coaching wide receivers.
Manny Diaz joined the Miss. State staff after spending four years as the defensive coordinator at Middle Tennessee.
Diaz' defense broke the school record for quarterback sacks with 33 and set a new school mark in tackles for loss with 96 while leading the Sun Belt Conference in rushing defense and sacks. The 2006 unit, which allowed just 38 total points in the second half of SBC action, scored four touchdowns and produced four first team all-conference performers along with the National Defensive Player of the Week on October 30.
Diaz also aided in the development of all-conference performers Erik Walden, Damon Nickson, Tavares Jones, J. K. Sabb, and Justin Rainey in 2006. Walden set the single-season sack record and became Middle Tennessee's all-time leader in the category, and Nickson led the SBC in interceptions.
Diaz has been involved in eight bowl games during his nine years on the collegiate level and played a major role for one of the country's top-ranked defenses by coaching safeties in 2004 and 2005 and handling the linebackers in 2002 and 2003 for the Wolfpack.
In 2005, the Wolfpack finished eighth nationally in total defense, sixth in third down percentage, and 12th in scoring defense en route to a 7-5 record and a shutout win over South Florida in the Meineke Car Care Bowl. Diaz, who also served as special teams coordinator, saw his kickoff return unit finish fifth nationally, and his punt return team recorded four blocked kicks.
In his first year as safeties coach and special team's coordinator in 2004, N.C. State's defense finished the year as the top-ranked unit in the country in total defense by allowing just over 220 yards per game. The Wolfpack defense also held national powers Ohio State and Florida State to under 130 yards of total offense during the 2004 campaign. Diaz, who coached All-ACC performer and current New York Jet Andre Maddox, also had his punt return team block three kicks and take two returns for touchdowns.
The Miami, Fla., native handled the linebackers for N.C. State in 2002 and 2003. In 2003, the Wolfpack won the Tangerine Bowl and finished 7-5 with Diaz sharing play-calling duties for all 11 games. Diaz also made all the defensive calls during the bowl win over Kansas.
In his first year as a full-time coach, Diaz helped the Wolfpack to one of their best seasons ever: they finished 11-3 and defeated Notre Dame in the Gator Bowl. Diaz, who coached All-ACC performer Dantonio Burnette, shared in the play-calling duties, and N.C. State ended the year ranked 14th nationally in total defense and 10th in scoring defense. In back-to-back games against Florida State and Notre Dame, N.C. State did not allow an offensive touchdown.
Diaz, the 10th youngest coordinator in college football, spent the 2000 and 2001 seasons at N.C. State as a graduate assistant working primarily with the linebacking corps. During this time, the Wolfpack went to two bowl games and became the first ACC team to beat FSU in Tallahassee.
Diaz, whose father is serving his second term as mayor of the City of Miami, began his coaching career at Florida State in 1998, working alongside defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews for two seasons. During his stint, the Seminoles won a national championship in 1999 and were runners-up in 1998.
The 1995 Florida State graduate (B.S. in communications) is married to the former Stephanie Cerow and they have three sons, Colin, Gavin, and Manny. Diaz, who worked at ESPN from 1995 to 1997, was a Miami Herald Honorable Mention All-Dade County Scholar-Athlete for football, basketball, and baseball in 1991.
• When OU lost Big 12 Preseason Defensive Player of the Year in Auston English for three games due to injury, freshman Frank Alexander stepped in and the Sooners remained effective. Jeremy Beal was All-Big 12.
• Helped the OU defense to a conference-leading 32 sacks in 2007, 15 of which came from his ends. Sophomore DE Auston English ranked No. 15 nationally in sacks despite missing three games en route to being named first team All Big 12. His unit also forced four fumbles on the year.
• His 2006 ends logged 25.5 tackles for loss, including 10 sacks. They also knocked down seven passes.
• With his top returning starter (Larry Birdine) lost in August and one of his budding stars (John Williams) sidelined in the opener by injuries, he still coached the defensive ends to a brilliant season in 2005 at Oklahoma. C.J. Ah You was named Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year and MVP of the Holiday Bowl, and Calvin Thibodeaux captured postseason honors while leading the team with 10 sacks.
• Colorado ranked No. 15 nationally and No. 2 in the Big 12 with 33 sacks in 2004.
• The Buffaloes were the Big 12 North champions three times during his tenure.
• Coached on the Illinois State squad that captured the Gateway Conference title and advanced to the NCAA Division I-AA semifinals in 1999. That season marked the only time that the Redbirds accomplished those feats.
Prominent Pupils
• C.J. Ah You (Oklahoma), Rams 2005 Big 12 Def. NOY
• Larry Birdine (Oklahoma), 49ers
• Justin Bannan (Colorado), Ravens 2001 First Team All-Big 12
• Tyler Brayton (Colorado), Panthers First-round draft pick in 2003
Accomplishments as a Player
Coach Wilson was an outstanding linebacker for the Sooners from 1988 to 1991, lettering four years and recording 311 tackles during his career. Those totals are good enough for 18th-best all-time and 11th all-time for a linebacker.
• A four-year letterman at Oklahoma between 1988-1991, he recorded 311 tackles, 18th-best all-time and 11th-best for an OU linebacker.
• Was on the 1991 Butkus Award watch list.
• Third team All-America selection as a junior by The Football News.
• His three fumble recoveries as a senior ties for the OU single-season record by a linebacker.
• His 12 career pass deflections ranks seventh all-time by a linebacker at OU.
• Top OU tackler (eight) in 1991 Gator Bowl.
• All-Big Eight second team three times.
• Drafted in the 12th round by the Chicago Bears in 1992.
New Misssissippi State Head Coach Dan Mullen wants RECRUITERS...Melvin Smith is symbolic with Mississippi State recruiting. A coach with deep Mississippi connections and proven recruiting ability back to the Magnolia State in spring 2006 when he hired Melvin Smith to work in the Bulldog secondary. He coached the cornerbacks in 2007. In just his second season back on the campus, Smith helped the MSU pass defense rank fourth in the SEC, allowing just 182.2 yards per game, sixth in pass efficiency defense (114.8). The Bulldogs improved their interception total from 12 to 15.
For Smith, 49, returning to MSU was a homecoming, not only to the university but to the state of Mississippi. A native of Taylorsville, Miss., who grew up in Magee, Miss., Smith was an assistant football coach previously at State for seven years (1995-2001), helping guide the Bulldogs through arguably the greatest period in the school's football history. The 25-year coaching veteran has spent 21 of those years working in the Magnolia State.
In Smith's first season back at State, Jeramie Johnson led the league in forced fumbles in 2006, and earned all-SEC recognition at free safety. Derek Pegues reached similar all-league honors at cornerback in 2006.
Smith came back to Mississippi State following three seasons at Texas A&M, where he coached the safeties. During his tenure in College Station, Texas, Smith helped the Aggies to a 7-4 regular season record in 2004 and a berth in the 2005 Cotton Bowl.
Prior to his stint at A&M and immediately following his seven years at MSU, Smith coached the safeties at Alabama in 2002. That Crimson Tide team posted a 10-3 regular season record that year.
Despite his assignment with the secondary, Smith has shown an ability to teach on both sides of the ball. In addition to having served six seasons as a defensive backfield coach, he started his MSU coaching career with one year as the wide receivers coach during his initial stay in Starkville.
He tutored the likes of current National Football League cornerback Fred Smoot (1999 and 2000) and long-time pro standout wide receiver Eric Moulds (1995) during that time.
In 2000, three of his four defensive backfield starters signed professional football contracts. That secondary intercepted 19 passes, the second-most in school history. One year earlier, Smith's secondary led the Southeastern Conference in pass defense and finished the season ranked fourth nationally in that department. In 1998, his troops were the last NCAA Division I unit to allow a touchdown through the air (Week 5).
From 1997-2000, Mississippi State posted a 33-15 overall record, 20-12 in the SEC. The 1998 team won the SEC Western Division championship and played eventual national champion Tennessee in the SEC title game in Atlanta. That team culminated the year with a berth in the 1999 Cotton Bowl. In 1999, State finished 10-2, defeating Clemson in the '99 Peach Bowl. The 2000 Bulldog team won eight games and beat Texas A&M in the Independence Bowl.
Smith has also coached on the collegiate level in Mississippi at Ole Miss (1992-94) and Delta State (1990-91). He began his coaching career on the high school level at Greenwood (Miss.) from 1982-89.
Smith holds a master's degree in administration from Delta State (1992) and a bachelor's degree in health and physical education from Millsaps College. Smith is married to the former Sheilah McLemore and the couple has four children, sons Robert and Melvin, and daughters Deondra and Ashlee.
Playing Career
- Played two years (1980-81) at Millsaps
Coaching Career
- 1982-89: Greenwood [MS] HS
- 1990-91: Assistant Coach, Delta State University
- 1992-94: Assistant Coach, University of Mississippi
- 1995: Wide Receivers Coach, Mississippi State University
- 1996-01: Defensive Backs Coach, Mississippi State University
- 2002: Safeties Coach, University of Alabama
- 2003-05: Safeties Coach, Texas A&M University
- 2006-present: Defensive Backs Coach, Mississippi State University
Notable In his second stop at State after spending seven seasons with the Bulldogs in the late 1990s ... Has tutored three all-American Bulldogs and six all-SEC players ... Entering his 23rd year of playing or coaching in the state of Mississippi, 13 on the collegiate level ... A member of the U.S. Army Reserve's 173rd Quartermaster Company, Sgt. Smith was called to duty in October 1990 and served more than six months in Saudi Arabia during the Persian Gulf War.
Hughes comes to Mississippi State after spending one season at Southern Mississippi, where he coached the secondary. Prior to that stop, Hughes coached for three seasons at Ole Miss. Named one of the top 25 college football recruiters in the nation by Rivals.com in the spring of 2006, Hughes' first two years were spent tutoring the defensive backs and his final season in Oxford was spent working with the tight ends.
During a two-season tenure at Louisiana Tech, Hughes coached outside linebackers in 2004 after coaching the defensive backs in 2003. Prior to joining the Louisiana Tech staff, Hughes had spent the previous 10 years on the coaching staff at Hinds Community College in Raymond, Miss., where he served as the defensive coordinator for one year and the secondary coaching during his first nine seasons. At Hinds, Hughes coached eight players that later went on to the National Football League , including former Mississippi State standout Fred Smoot.
Mullen's view on Hughes
"Tony is obviously well known and well respected throughout the state of Mississippi. With his addition to our staff, we bring another tremendous recruiter and experienced coach to our team.”
Before working at Hinds, Hughes first college stop as a full-time collegiate coach was a two-year stay at West Alabama where he was the secondary coach in 1992 and 1993. Hughes coached for seven years in the Mississippi high school ranks, serving as the offensive coordinator and offensive backs coach at Hattiesburg High School in 1988-1992. Hughes also spent two seasons as the defensive secondary coach and boys track coach at South Natchez High School from 1986 through 1988. His first high school coaching job came at Philadelphia High School in 1985.
After serving in the United States Marine Corps from 1981 to 1984 and receiving an honorable discharge, he began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Southern Mississippi in 1984, working with the defensive backs.
Hughes, who played football and ran track at Forest High School (1974-76) and played defensive back at St. Paul's College (1976-77), was a defensive back for Southern Miss in 1977 and 1978. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology from Southern Mississippi in 1980.
He is an active member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, serving as a member of the Mississippi FCA State Board of Directors in 1999, president of the Mississippi FCA Coaches Council in 1998, and vice-president of the Mississippi FCA Coaches Council in 1997.
Hughes is married to the former Marion McCaleb of Meridian, Miss., and the couple has two sons, Jamison and Jay.
Education:
Certificate of Education in Social Studies – Southern Mississippi, 1985
Bachelor's in Sociology – Southern Mississippi, 1980
Matt Balis has been named the head strength and conditioning coach at Mississippi State pending approval by the Board of Trustees, Institutions of Higher Learning, the athletic department announced Tuesday. He will coordinate the strength and conditioning programs for each of the Bulldogs' 15 varsity sports.
Balis comes to Starkville from the University of Virginia, where he served two years as the strength and conditioning coach for the Cavaliers football program.
“I strongly believe that Matt Balis is the best strength coach in the country,” head football coach Dan Mullen said. “His work with both Florida's national championship team in 2006 and Utah's 12-0 season in 2004 shows his experience in creating championship-winning programs.”
Prior to his stint in Charlottesville, Balis previously served as the assistant director of strength and conditioning at Florida in 2005 and 2006. He was responsible for assisting the director of strength and conditioning with daily operations of the Gators' facility. He also assisted with coordination of the entire strength program, including coaching in the weight room, speed development and conditioning. The Florida football team completed the 2006 season with a 13-1 record and won the Southeastern Conference Championship and the BCS National Championship.
Mullen's view on Balis
“I strongly believe that Matt Balis is the best strength coach in the country. His work with both Florida's national championship team in 2006 and Utah's 12-0 season in 2004 shows his experience in creating championship-winning programs.”
Before joining the staff at Florida, Balis worked two years in the strength and conditioning program at the University of Utah. He was the director of strength and conditioning for the entire 16-sport program in 2004-05. Balis was directly in charge of designing and implementing strength and conditioning programs for football, men's basketball, women's basketball, baseball and volleyball. The football team completed the 2004 season with an overall record of 12-0 and won the Fiesta Bowl. He served as assistant strength coach at Utah in 2003-04.
Balis was also an assistant strength coach at Houston for two years and before moving to the college level, he was an assistant football coach and worked in the area of strength and conditioning at Wheaton (Ill.) Warrenville South High School for two years and at Wheaton (Ill.) North High School for three years. He also taught physical education at the elementary school level during that five-year period.
Balis earned a bachelor's degree in education from Northern Illinois University in 1996 and a master's degree in educational leadership and administration from Aurora University in 2001.
Balis is certified by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) and the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association (CSCC), and is a certified strength and conditioning specialist, and a certified strength and conditioning coach.
Les Koenning
Mark Hudspeth
John Hevesy
Greg Knox 
Scott Sallach
In his first year as a full-time coach, Diaz helped the Wolfpack to one of their best seasons ever: they finished 11-3 and defeated Notre Dame in the Gator Bowl. Diaz, who coached All-ACC performer Dantonio Burnette, shared in the play-calling duties, and N.C. State ended the year ranked 14th nationally in total defense and 10th in scoring defense. In back-to-back games against Florida State and Notre Dame, N.C. State did not allow an offensive touchdown. 150.JPG)
Chris Wilson
Melvin Smith
Tony Hughes 
Matt Balis