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Mississippi State 2016 Season Preview: The Post Dak Prescott Era

By Shawn Spencer

Dec 30, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; The Mississippi State Bulldogs pose for a picture with the Belk Bowl trophy after defeating the North Carolina State Wolfpack in the 2015 Belk Bowl at Bank of America Stadium. The Bulldogs defeated the Wolfpack 51-28. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; The Mississippi State Bulldogs pose for a picture with the Belk Bowl trophy after defeating the North Carolina State Wolfpack in the 2015 Belk Bowl at Bank of America Stadium. The Bulldogs defeated the Wolfpack 51-28. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 5, 2015; Columbia, MO, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Dan Mullen adjusts his headset in the game between the Missouri Tigers and the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the first half at Faurot Field. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2015; Columbia, MO, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Dan Mullen adjusts his headset in the game between the Missouri Tigers and the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the first half at Faurot Field. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

Coaching Staff

Dan Mullen enters his eighth season as head coach of the Mississippi State football team. After failing to earn a bowl selection in his first season, Mullen has led the Bulldogs to a bowl in six consecutive seasons. Extending that streak to seven years isn’t a lock, but Mullen does have an experienced staff to turn to.

Dec 30, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; The Mississippi State Bulldogs flag is waved in the endzone after a score in the second quarter against the North Carolina State Wolfpack in the 2015 Belk Bowl at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; The Mississippi State Bulldogs flag is waved in the endzone after a score in the second quarter against the North Carolina State Wolfpack in the 2015 Belk Bowl at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

Co-offensive coordinator John Hevesy, special teams coordinator Greg Knox and tight ends coach Scott Sallach have all been on Mullen’s staff since he took over as head coach in 2009. While Knox will have the same kicker and punter as last season, Sallach and Hevesy will have to groom new starters. Sallach will look to replace the departed 6-foot-7 Darrion Hutcherson at TE, while Hevesy will have at least six starters to replace on offense; none bigger than QB Dak Prescott.

Fellow co-offensive coordinator Billy Gonzales (entering his fourth season with the school) and QB coach Brian Johnson (third season) will assist in the search of Prescott’s replacement. Neither coach has been with the program long enough to know what it’s like to have anyone other than Prescott as the starter.

On the defensive side of the ball, change has been the theme of the offseason. A brand new staff has been brought in to help improve a defense that ranked 10th in the SEC last season against both the run and the pass. New defensive coordinator and linebacker coach Peter Sirmon is making significant changes, switching from a 4-3 to a 3-4 defense.

Aug 30, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans coach Steve Sarkisian (left) and linebackers coach Peter Sirmon before the game against the Fresno State Bulldogs at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 30, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans coach Steve Sarkisian (left) and linebackers coach Peter Sirmon before the game against the Fresno State Bulldogs at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Sirmon came to Mississippi State from USC, but brought assistants from all over the country. Defensive line coach Brian Baker coached in the NFL for 19 years, most recently with the Washington Redskins. Safeties coach Maurice Linguist was hired away from Iowa State and cornerbacks coach Terrell Buckley spent last season at Louisville. Buckley is a former NFL CB who won a Super Bowl with the New England Patriots. He may have the toughest job of all the position coaches on defense as he’ll have to find two corners to replace Will Redmond and Taveze Calhoun; two of the best to play the position in Starkville.

With familiar faces on offense and new faces on defense, chemistry between the coaches and players, as well as between coaches themselves, will be intriguing to watch. If Mullen is able to get everyone on the same page, the rebuilding process may not take as long as expected.

Next: The Players

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