Dan Mullen, Mississippi State Agree on New Contract: Latest Details and Reaction

Mississippi State Bulldogs head football coach Dan Mullen was rewarded for a strong 2014 campaign with a new contract on Thursday.

Bob Carskadon of HailState.com initially reported the details on Mullen's new deal:

University director of athletics Scott Stricklin spoke about the decision to keep Mullen around for the long haul, per HailState.com:

"

Dan has done a phenomenal job in leading our football team the past six years, and we're happy to be in a position to reward his efforts while making sure he'll be able to continue building a championship program for Mississippi State. [...] Under Dan's guidance, Bulldog football has achieved a level of consistent success unparalleled in our history, during which time we've been ranked No. 1 in the nation and appeared in elite bowl games. We're proud Dan is our coach.

"

Mullen also reflected on what transpired in 2014 and what he's aspiring to down the road:

"

It's a privilege to represent our university, our program and our fans here at Mississippi State. I appreciate Scott Stricklin and our administration who have given us the tools and resources to be successful and develop Bulldog football into a national brand over the last six years.



We spent five weeks ranked No. 1 last season for the first time, but we have only scratched this surface on what we can accomplish here. We have created a winning culture both on and off the field and built a program that has sustained success in the nation’s toughest conference. I've always said we are going to win a championship here, and I firmly believe that.

"

The Bulldogs ranked first at the dawn of the new College Football Playoff rankings, only to lose that status on the road against rival SEC powerhouse Alabama. Despite defeats in the last two games, Mullen led Mississippi State to marked improvement with a 10-3 record in his sixth year at the helm.

Speaking of the mighty Crimson Tide, AL.com's Matt Scalici brings up an interesting point about Mullen's contract:

Chris Low of ESPN.com offered more context on the financial implications:

Bulldogs dual-threat quarterback Dak Prescott is returning in 2015, so with Mullen's future secure, the players can be guaranteed continuity as they seek to keep the team in the national championship chase.

With Prescott in the fold, Mississippi State ought to put up plenty of points.

The trick to sustaining success will be to play physical defense and endure the pounding that takes place in the SEC. With such top-flight competition across the board, every week of the conference slate offers a potential pitfall.

This last year proved that the Bulldogs are learning to navigate the SEC gauntlet better. Mullen is a big reason for that, as his improved recruiting classes in recent years have landed more blue-chip talent in Starkville.

Proof of Mullen's commendable coaching job is in the results on the gridiron. Mississippi State was patient with Mullen, and he rewarded the school with a breakout 2014 campaign. Now Mullen is being rewarded right back—and rightly so.