Excitement surrounds Mississippi State's Mullen

HOOVER | Excitement was a word first-year Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen threw around often at his first SEC Media Days press conference.

Mullen and his spread offense created excitement for the Florida Gators, which won two national championships -- 2006 and 2008 -- with him as the offensive coordinator and Bulldogs' fans are expecting big things this season, with 31,000 showing up for the spring game.

Mullen runs a "multiple spread offense," characterized by creating mismatches.

"The idea is to get a player in the open field against a player that he’s better than," Mullen said. "We have to make sure our personnel fits that."

Early on in his tenure, success will be measured by effort and not by results, he said.

"If all 11 players give relentess effort and have a passion for the game of football, we’ll have a successful season," he said.

In his first coaching job with Paul Pascaloni at Syracuse, Mullen began writing down things he would do if he ever got to be a head coach.

"I've learned things everywhere I've been," he said. "You keep a running list of what works for you and what doesn't.

"I can't wait to get going. It’s neat being here for me being a first time head coach. There is a passion for everyone of the schools in the Southeastern Conference. I feel fortunate Mississippi State University has given me the opportunity to become head football coach. I’m really excited."