The Name Game: Dooley, Bowden, Venables, Strong Lead Miss. St. List

“The Name Game” at Football Rumor Mill focuses on active coaching searches around the country. The latest edition centers on the Mississippi State Bulldogs…

Byrne said State “was prepared” for the coaching vacancy left by Croom’s departure, but declined to say if he had a short list of potential candidates. Two names that immediately surfaced were former Clemson coach Tommy Bowden and Derek Dooley, the coach at Louisiana Tech. Louisiana Tech, ironically, beat State 22-14 on opening night this season in Ruston, La. “We’re going to begin the search immediately,” Byrne said. “We’re going to take however long it takes for Mississippi State to make the right choice. I’ve seen them take a day, I’ve seen them take a month.” – Sun-Herald

Several names are being bandied about as a possible replacement. Among them are East Carolina coach Skip Holtz, TCU coach Gary Patterson, ex-Clemson coach Tommy Bowden, Florida defensive coordinator and assistant head coach Charlie Strong, and Oklahoma defensive coordinator Brent Venables. Byrne said MSU will use a search firm but that no formal agreement has been reached. Byrne said he always has a list of coaches handy, and he knows what he wants in a new hire. – Daily Journal