The Mississippi State Bulldogs fired Joe Moorhead late last week and may already be close to finding a new head coach.
Florida defensive coordinator Todd Grantham was named as an immediate candidate to watch in the Bulldogs’ search. In addition to Grantham, ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg says Alabama offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian and Washington State head coach Mike Leach are also in the mix.
Will Mississippi State coaching search wrap up Wednesday? #Florida DC Todd Grantham has been a strong candidate from the start, but #Alabama OC Steve Sarkisian very much under consideration. #WSU coach Mike Leach another name to watch.
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) January 8, 2020
Leach has already proven himself as a successful college head coach at both Washington State and Texas Tech. He’s gone 139-90 in his career and could probably win at a similar level in Starkville as he has in Pullman.
Sarkisian went 34-29 over five seasons at Washington and was 12-6 before being fired early in his second season at USC for alcohol issues. Sark, 45, spent two seasons as the Atlanta Falcons’ offensive coordinator and coached at Alabama in 2016 and this season as their offensive coordinator.
The Athletic’s Aaron Suttles also said there is interest between Sarkisian and Mississippi State.
There is some real interest on both sides between Alabama offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian and Mississippi State. It’s something to keep an eye on.
— Aaron Suttles (@AaronSuttles) January 8, 2020
Grantham does not have previous head coaching experience but did coach at Mississippi State previously under Dan Mullen.
