Is Dan Mullen a top 3 coach in the conference?

I think so. Besides Vanderbilt, Mississippi State is arguably the toughest job in the SEC. State is certainly the most difficult school to recruit to considering how many schools pluck talent out of Mississippi - not to mention, Starkville isn't exactly topping the charts as far as the college experience is concerned. Since inheriting Sylvester Croom's carnival in 2009, Mullen has averaged a shade under 8 wins a season and played in five consecutive bowl games. I think he is one of, if not the best talent evaluator in the entire country. According to Rivals, he's averaged the 31st ranked class during his tenure at State and under his tutelage 36 of his guys have seen some sort of action at the NFL level. Even though this is year 7 in the era, Dak is the first Mullen-recruited quarterback that's been implemented into his system. With a true spread quarterback Mullen can win anywhere. He was competitive with 2* Chris Relf and Tyler Russell (Who had no business being in his system)

The point I am trying to make here is that Dan Mullen would absolutely kill it at a school with upper echelon facilities and perennial recruiting abilities. He's an odd dude but the guy can flat out coach. Florida will regret passing him up. Apparently he's happy in Starkville but I think even Mississippi State fans can agree he's reached his ceiling. Who knows? He might retire there and ride out into the Oktibbeha Co. sunset, but I just can't see that happening.