Mississippi State's Dan Mullen and UCLA's Jim Mora are the latest coaches to gain interest from the University of Michigan.
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According to a report first broken by Football Scoop, Michigan's interim athletic director Jim Hackett has given his blessing to pursuing both of these candidates. Mora is considered a dark horse; not many expect him to leave the sun and surf of Southern California for Ann Arbor. Mullen, however, is being considered a prime candidate, and the school is pursuing him as such.
Mullen has completely transformed the Mississippi State football program, taking them from the basement of the SEC West all the way to a 10-2 record and a berth in the Orange Bowl this season. The Bulldogs spent a significant portion of the year ranked no. 1, before tailing off in the final weeks of the season. Mullen is 46-30 overall in six seasons there.
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Mullen isn't the only SEC coach getting a long look from the Wolverines. LSU's Les Miles is also a prime candidate for the coaching position, not only for his success in Baton Rouge, but also for his deep ties to the program. Miles played football at Michigan and served as an assistant coach there from 1987 to 1994.
Mississippi State AD Scott Stricklin was optimistic that the school would be able to keep Mullen's services. "Dan, in his defense, his focus has been recruiting, being in bowl prep," Stricklin said, via the Clarion Ledger. "But I'm optimistic we can get [a raise and extension] wrapped up pretty soon."
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