Mississippi State’s DAN MULLEN NAMED AFCA REGION 2 COACH OF THE YEAR

Release from Mississippi State Athletics:

After guiding Mississippi State to the first 10-win regular season in program history and a berth in the Orange Bowl, head coach Dan Mullen has been named American Football Coaches Association’s 2014 Region 2 Coach of the Year, the organization announced Monday.

Mullen has guided the Bulldogs to unprecedented success in his six seasons at the helm and a school-record five consecutive bowl appearances. MSU captivated the nation in 2014, going from unranked to No. 1 quicker than any team in college football history. The Bulldogs earned their highest national ranking ever and spent five straight weeks at the top spot following three consecutive wins over top-10 teams, a first in college football since 1983.

MSU shattered 22 statistical records this season, while Mullen developed quarterback Dak Prescott into a National Player of the Year candidate. Prescott became the first player in school history to be named a finalist for the Maxwell and Davey O’Brien Awards.

Mullen spearheaded MSU to its first Orange Bowl appearance since 1941 following a 10-2 regular season and the program’s first six-win Southeastern Conference campaign since 1999. The Bulldogs have been ranked in the top 10 for a school-record nine consecutive weeks dating back to Oct. 5.

The AFCA recognizes five regional Coach of the Year winners in each of the Association’s five divisions: Football Bowl Subdivision, Football Championship Subdivision, Division II, Division III and NAIA. The winners are selected by active members of the Association who vote for coaches in their respective regions and divisions. The AFCA began recognizing district coaches of the year following the 1960 season.

The 2014 Regional Coach of the Year winners will be recognized at the AFCA Coach of the Year Dinner at the 2015 AFCA Convention in Louisville, Ky. The dinner is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 13.

2014 AFCA Regional Coach of the Year Winners

Football Bowl Subdivision

Region 1: David Cutcliffe, Duke University

Region 2: Dan Mullen, Mississippi State University

Region 3: Jerry Kill, University of Minnesota*

Region 4: Gary Patterson, TCU

Region 5: Jim McElwain, Colorado State University