SEC Football Recruiting: Dan Mullen's Pyrrhic Victory

After defeating the Romans at Heraclea and Asculum, King Pyrrhus of Eprius sagely noted that one more such victory would ruin him. His forces had suffered huge losses in the victories, and he realized he could not replace men and supplies as readily as the Romans.

Though Pyrrhus won the battle—twice—he lost the war.

Every time I read another quote from Mississippi State football coach Dan Mullen celebrating his recruiting victory over in-state rival Ole Miss, I recall the fate of the Pyrrhic king.

Mullen obviously knows some history—using Woody Hayes’ “the school up north” in reference to an arch rival—and seems apt to make some of his own.  Or, at least, saying he is going to make some of his own.

It is odd that Mullen—an Urban Meyer protégé—keeps drawing more comparisons to Lane Kiffin than Meyer.

Mullen’s verbal jabs towards Ole Miss have roused both fan bases in the bloodline-crossed rivalry that quickly loses its civility when encountered; and, as with many in-state feuds, abandons perspective as well.

Unconstrained by metrics and analysis, Mullen’s public relations tour touting his recruiting victory over Ole Miss has brought attention to a school many had quit paying attention to; has secured his endearment to his fan base; and has reminded potential employers that his pedigree as offensive coordinator at a college football powerhouse is now coupled with head coach experience.

Right out of the Kiffin playbook.

But where Kiffin had to be taken seriously for his ability to bring highly coveted players into his program, Mullen’s recent boasting rings a hollow bell.

The only victory Mullen achieved with his 2010 class is signing more in-state players than Ole Miss.

He did not sign a higher ranked class: Ole Miss was Top 20 according to both Rivals and Scout; MSU was bottom 40 in the same.

He did not win the head-to-head battle: Ole Miss signed six of the 10 in-state prospects both schools offered; MSU signed three.  Both schools lost the battle for the state’s top prospect in Shon Coleman, who signed with Auburn.

Mullen, however, won where it counted in his first year.

His Bulldogs did not just upset the ranked Rebels last year in Starkville: they thumped them.  The Ole Miss defense was always two steps behind Mullen’s offense, giving up season highs in both points scored and yards totaled.

The on-field victory gave Mullen the one cornerstone he needed to build momentum for a program that has not had a coach with a winning tenure since Darrell Royal’s 12-8 record for the 1954 and 1955 seasons.

What surprises me most about Mullen’s recruiting victory tour is that he has jeopardized the impact of his concrete success last season by claiming one absent merit.

Instead of advancing the image built as someone people needed to watch out for, he has spent the last couple of weeks coming across as a high school kid from the math club trying to convince people he is more popular than the school’s prom king.

Instead of looking like the next coming of Meyer…well, you know.

Mullen is obviously media savvy, and has used his pulpit to promote his school and his team with success.  But he missed on his effort to convince any but the loyal that he is actually 2-0 against Ole Miss.

Mississippi State has an influx of talent better fit to succeed in Mullen’s system offense, and only time will tell who actually had the better recruiting class.  However, self-promotion is a double-edged sword that quickly becomes ignorable when one swings and misses.

Ole Miss Fans should be wary of discounting the Bulldogs as Mullen has shown the ability to develop and motivate talent, especially in circumstances of high drama.

Mississippi State Fans should be wary, too.

King Pyrrhus was killed when knocked high from his horse.