Tell us you're joking: Coach Pete to Miss State

by kevanlee on Dec 5, 2008 2:44 PM PST in Boise State football Comment 50 comments

Deadspin via Sparty and Friends is reporting that Coach Pete will become the new head coach at Mississippi State.

Seriously?

Here is what the Sparty people have to say:

You can take this to the bank. Boise State’s Chris Petersen, will be the new head coach at Mississippi State University. The official announcement could come as soon as the completion of the SEC Title game. More later, when information becomes available.

Information, as in, credible sources?

We don't know what to believe at this point. It seemed like just a few days ago, Coach Pete was denying the coaching rumors of his going to Mississippi State. In fact, it was just a few days ago:

Petersen is friends with Mississippi State athletic director Greg Byrne, who worked at Oregon when Petersen was there.

"Greg and I have been friends for a long time. We talk often. He knows how happy we are at Boise and that's where we're going to be," Petersen told The Clarion-Ledger.
We know just as much as you do at this point, so we'll keep updating this post as more information comes in.

UPDATE [1:45PM]: There are no updates, only facts and rumors

It has been almost an hour and a half since we nearly had a heart attack reading about Coach Pete's potential move to Mississippi State, and since that near death experience, there has been ... nothing.

We take this as a good sign. No major news outlets have confirmed the rumors of Pete-to-Starkville, so all the story really has going for it is the integrity of a couple of blogs. In the meantime, we can at least make some sound judgments based on the facts of the situation.

FACT: Coach Pete told Mississippi State athletic director Greg Byrne that he was going to stay in Boise.

FACT: Coach Pete is friends with Greg Byrne.

FACT: The only site that is reporting that Coach Pete will be the head coach at MSU, Sparty and Friends, seems to be some sort of Michigan State blog.

FACT: Deadspin, the Internet's most popular sports blog, also reported the Coach Pete move.

FACT: Mississippi State is a sweltering wasteland of a college football environment, and you'd have to assume that Coach Pete could do a lot better.

FACT: Sparty and Friends broke the story about Lane Kiffin going to Tennessee.

FACT: Coach Pete leaving for another school at this point in the season would fly in the face of everything he has ever been about with the Broncos.

FACT: Coach Pete going to Mississippi State does not make sense.

As diehard Bronco fans, we can't help but still be a little nervous. But at least until there is something more concrete than one or two blog posts, we're going to chalk this one up to a potentially life-changing rumor and keep our fingers crossed. Sound good?

We'll let you know if we hear anything more.

UPDATE [2:00PM]: Brian Murphy found Coach Pete

He's in his office in Boise, and he plans on recruiting for the Broncos next week.

UPDATE [2:05PM]: Alabama station reports Coach Pete turned down job

And now there's this from a MSU message board. Apparently, Coach Pete thought about taking the job but decided against it.

Good decision.

UPDATE [2:34PM]: Mississippi's #1 newspaper won't confirm

Thank goodness.

UPDATE [2:35PM]: Comments disappeared

Sorry about that. We're getting hit pretty hard. The OBNUG intern is efforting. In the meantime, enjoy this fancy comment jpeg of most of the comments that were lost.

UPDATE [6:27]: Crisis Averted

Coach Petersen has issued a statement that he will not be taking the Mississippi State job (via KTVB). We can all sleep easier tonight.

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Comments

April Fools! Oh…wait. Crap.

by FightFightBSU on Dec 4, 2008 11:45 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I can't breathe

by Nick on Dec 4, 2008 11:54 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Chris Peterson is not going to Mississippi State. This is just a rumor off a crappy sight. And, no, I have no proof. I am denying it. I saw "The Secret," so I am always right.

by pretendhuman on Dec 4, 2008 11:57 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

We should ask Graham Watson to look into this for us. She should be able to get to the bottom of this, right?

by GHM on Dec 4, 2008 11:57 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I sure hope you're right. I don't want to believe it, either.

by kevanlee on Dec 4, 2008 11:59 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Right, what was I thinking?!?

by GHM on Dec 5, 2008 12:03 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

This is just a rumor off <del>a crappy sight</del> <del>site</del> the best site around.

by rek on Dec 5, 2008 12:05 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

My denial isn't helping me feel any better at this point. I need better coping mechanisms

by Nick on Dec 5, 2008 12:09 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Graham Watson: She reports, we decide.

by kevanlee on Dec 5, 2008 12:11 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

We should start calling her Fox.

by GHM on Dec 5, 2008 12:15 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

If Pete goes to Mississippi State, I will grow an Akeystache and wear it for a whole year. Now THAT is confidence.

by FightFightBSU on Dec 5, 2008 12:31 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

If he's going to leave, he should hold out for the Auburn position.

by Nick on Dec 5, 2008 12:45 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

NOOOOOO!!!!!!! Say it aint so. i rufuse to belive untill something is made official

by A*T*L on Dec 5, 2008 12:53 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Of all the possibilties, Miss St just doesn't make sense for Coach Pete. I know there is a relationship with the AD, but it doesn't seem like a good fit. I still contend the Chip Kelly announcement at Oregon, changed Coach Pete's outlook about other positions.
BTW: I refreshed and there is a 2:05 update. My clock still says 1:58???

by BlueTurf on Dec 5, 2008 12:59 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I still can't see him leaving though. I mean, look at what the next few years for him hold. Everyone thought that this year was going to be a down year because the team was so young and they still went undefeated. Thinking of what the next 3 years, at least, could be is an exciting thought. Why would he leave that? Dan Hawkins said on his little rant the other day that it was to be challenged. Maybe so, but what if they went undefeated next year also? And the year after that, what bowl games would they play in? Could they keep us out of a National Championship game at that point? Maybe, but what a challenge that would be. He’s making more than enough money here, better than he could at some other places with the cost of living adjustments. He is having success. Why go?

by GHM on Dec 5, 2008 1:00 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Me, too, A*T*L. I refuse to admit it because admitting it would ruin me. Also, I have more faith in Coach Pete than that.

by kevanlee on Dec 5, 2008 1:00 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Not sure what to make of it. Seems SO ODD. Yet, somewhat reminiscent of Coach Hawk.

by KYBronco on Dec 5, 2008 1:04 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

not encouraging words

by Nick on Dec 5, 2008 1:06 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I feel like this is when your girlfriend starts acting weird. There's no logical reason. If you tell someone else what she's doing that make you think she's acting weird, they will say you're paranoid. Then she breaks up with you and your gut was right.

I hope I just ate something bad for lunch.

by Nick on Dec 5, 2008 1:07 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I have lost all sense of time. This rumor is eating me alive. I anticipate the grammar will go next.

by kevanlee on Dec 5, 2008 1:11 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Hummm, why would coach Pete take the Mississippi State job when he could of had: UW, the Cleveland Browns, Utah State, or any number of better programs?

by OSQjunkie on Dec 5, 2008 1:19 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

"…Utah State, or any number of better programs?"

Are you insane? Utah State is a better program than Mississippi State????

by Perspective on Dec 5, 2008 1:22 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Now our comments disappeared. Not a good day

by Nick on Dec 5, 2008 1:22 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

IT wont happen pete likes to win and that wont happen in the sec

by A_T_L on Dec 5, 2008 1:22 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I found this:

http://djbulldogs.wordpress.com/2008/12/01/forget…

by OBNUG Intern on Dec 5, 2008 1:23 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

our pets heads are falling off

by Nick on Dec 5, 2008 1:25 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

And my point was so discouraging! Maybe that's why they disappeared. Do I still get credit for disappearing comments?

by KYBronco on Dec 5, 2008 1:26 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

yeah…why would he go to MSU when he could come back to Oregon and be offensive coordinator??

Either way, that jobs better than being head coach of BSU! Sorry program…same with Miss St.

by god of football on Dec 5, 2008 1:28 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

At least there are mountains and "family night" doesn't entail watching a brother and sister tie the knot.

by KYBronco on Dec 5, 2008 1:30 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

…dogs and cats living together…mass hysteria!

by GHM on Dec 5, 2008 1:31 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Thanks intern, that is somewhat encouraging. Didn't Kevan ask you to get him a Mocha from Moxie Java?

by KYBronco on Dec 5, 2008 1:31 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Nice try Dan Hawkins, that disguise isn't fooling anyone!

by GHM on Dec 5, 2008 1:33 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, I'd hate to be the coaches of the winningest program in the last decade. That would suck!

by KYBronco on Dec 5, 2008 1:34 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, I'd hate to be the coachof the winningest program in the last decade. That would suck!

by KYBronco on Dec 5, 2008 1:34 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, I'd hate to be the coach of the winningest program in the last decade. That would suck!

by KYBronco on Dec 5, 2008 1:34 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Oh yeah, shoot! I better hurry!

by OBNUG Intern on Dec 5, 2008 1:37 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

i literally came down with explosive diarrhea as i read this post. might've been last nights tequila, theres no way to say for sure; either way, after seeing the updates, my bowels and soul both feel much better.

by jahkass on Dec 5, 2008 1:42 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Sounds like you need to find a better coping mechanism, too.

by KYBronco on Dec 5, 2008 1:47 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Or Clevland for that matter, "I'm messing with you…" LOL

by OSQjunkie on Dec 5, 2008 2:04 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

My bowels, too…since we're on the subject.

by kevanlee on Dec 5, 2008 2:12 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

It seems strange that Miss State and bowels are being spoken of in the same context.

by KYBronco on Dec 5, 2008 2:18 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Okay, this rumor has gained enough steam to make me start to wonder things like, "Is coach Pete a villain for leaving after saying Boise is the place for him?" "Is Koetter really on the next plane to punch Pete in the nose for thinking about leaving – he promised to do so and he better follow through? "

by BlueTurf on Dec 5, 2008 2:36 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

The thing that worries me about Brian Murphy's article is that it says "Coach Pete did not want to talk about the coaching rumors" or something to that effect. A simple "no" sure would go a long ways at this point.

I don't know about punching Coach Pete in the nose, but I sure could use Dirk Koetter to fly up here and hold me right now.

by kevanlee on Dec 5, 2008 2:44 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Oh, I'll do it!

by D. Koetter on Dec 5, 2008 2:49 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Punch him in the nose that is, I'm not into that kinda thing, sorry Kevan.

by D. Koetter on Dec 5, 2008 2:52 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

LOLOLOLOLOLOL

by TERMINATOR-M on Dec 5, 2008 3:07 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Kinda like Gary Patterson going to Kansas St. a couple weeks ago, right? The reports were he was signed sealed and delivered… I mean, internet blog sources are NEVER wrong, right??

by JasonHaberman on Dec 5, 2008 8:01 AM PST reply actions 0 recs