Dan Mullen to Penn State: Quarterback Guru Would Be Great Fit for Nittany Lions

Penn State has formed a search committee in hopes of finding the perfect replacement for legendary head coach Joe Paterno, a casualty of the Jerry Sandusky sex scandal.

The first name that's been circulated in connection with the job is Mississippi State's Dan Mullen (via ESPN).

Mullen, a Pennsylvania native and Ursinus College alumnus, has spent the past three years with the Bulldogs. Although his coaching record (20-17) doesn't jump off the page, his career pedigree and in-state roots make him a terrific option.

Since Paterno was relieved of his duties, Tom Bradley has filled in on an interim basis. The defensive coordinator should be commended for his handling of a tough situation and should be given a fair shot at keeping the job.

But hiring an outside influence—without any connection to the Sandusky mess—is probably a better long-term option for Penn State.

Mullen has the reputation as a coach who's great with quarterbacks, a position that's been a problem area for the Nittany Lions in recent years. Matt McGloin and Rob Bolden combined to complete barely 50 percent of their passes with an even touchdown-to-interception ratio this season.

That production should improve under Mullen. The 39-year-old frontrunner has helped groom several college quarterbacks during his various stops while working up the coaching ladder.

Josh Harris, Alex Smith and Tim Tebow are three of the players Mullen watched develop under his tutelage. Harris and Tebow in particular—both of which were dynamic dual-threat QBs—would be the type of signal-caller Mullen would be looking to produce at Penn State.

More consistent play from that position would give the Nittany Lions a much better chance of hanging with Big Ten powers in shootouts, instead of always trying to force the opponent into a defensive battle.

Having SEC experience is also a big plus. He's coached, at times very successfully, in the nation's toughest conference. There certainly shouldn't be any more big-game jitters than he's faced on virtually every weekend trying to keep his Bulldogs afloat.

Penn State will probably take its time to consider every candidate. Some might have better career records or signed more elite recruits, but it will be tough to find a better all-around fit than Mullen.