After the unexpected departure of defensive coordinator Manny Diaz to Miami, the search was on to find the next guy to lead the Bulldogs’ defense. With just a few days remaining before the final recruiting period opens, Dan Mullen found his man in USC linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator Peter Sirmon.

Sirmon comes to Starkville after spending the last two seasons at storied program USC. Prior to that, Sirmon made stops at Washington, Tennessee, Oregon, where he played his college football, and Central Washington. Peter Sirmon also spent seven seasons int NFL with Tennessee Titans .With the hire of Sirmon, Mississippi State now has three former NFL players on its coaching staff with defensive back Deshea Townsend and newly hired safeties coach Terrell Buckley already on staff.

When the search first began, the same names began being thrown around. USF DC Tom Allen and former Iowa State Head Coach Paul Rhoads were names that seemed to be at the forefront of the search. LSU DL coach Ed Orgeron was thrown around for a brief afternoon but that was quickly disputed by all parties involved. The rest of the search remained quiet with very little information leaking out as to who would get the job. However, it appears at first glance that Dan Mullen absolutely nailed this hire.

Mississippi State fans all seemed to be in agreement that the Bulldogs needed not just a coordinator but a viable recruiter to bring top talent to take the Dogs to the next level and on course with the rivals to the north. Coach Mullen 100% acccomplished this task. Sirmon comes to Starkville from USC. Yes, the University of Southern California. USC puts high level players into the NFL each and every year and Sirmon was the recruiting force behind this. He will bring the knowledge it takes to bring the best to play for the Bulldogs. With Ole Miss bringing in record setting recruiting classes and Alabama churning out national championships on a daily basis, Sirmon will bring the expertise to keep Mississippi State in the SEC race. This hire has many reasons to fire Bulldog fans up.