I recognize that sofla is a youngun and yes, Cowbell hired a dud just before Mullinz who was horrid, but the coach just before that won the west and was a threat to win it most years. Jackie Sherrill got ancient and stayed way too long, but Cowbell was a real contender even in the late 90s. In his first eight years (Sherrill inherited a terrible team, like most coaches, there is a reason usually why the last dude got fired) but he finished first or second in the SEC west 3 times in his first eight years.
Mullinz managed a winning SEC record only once and never finished first or second.
All Mullinz did well was load up on 1AA and geographic schools better than any other coach. Of course, after those 4 cupcake wins in September, it went down hill after that every year.
Well, at least he usually beat the cupcakes.
South Alabama cornerbacks Darian Mills (24) and Quinton Dent (21) celebrate their 21-20 win over Mississippi State in an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 3, 2016. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Now we have to fear Geogya Southern and South Alabama.