Published: October 12, 2008 12:29 am      

Mullen’s worry is not his job but offense

MORGANTOWN — While you’re busy giving West Virginia offensive coordinator Jeff Mullen whatever general nastiness it is you’re giving him this morning — you know who you are — give him credit.

The man stood in there and took his licks after a less-than-inspiring 17-6 Big East win over Syracuse Saturday at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. You think Ben Roethlisberger gets hit a lot?

Wow!

Not that some of the booing, catcalls and general derisiveness surrounding the Mountaineers’ moribund offense wasn’t well deserved.

Indeed, Mullen was at times unimaginative, suspect and sometimes downright discombobulated in his play-calling.

Realize first that Jarrett Brown, pretty good at this hero-off-the-bench thing until Saturday, started in place of the concussed Pat White. Proving that Mullen wasn’t the only thing being cussed in Morgantown Saturday.

First half. Mountaineers driving. Third-and-2. Brown rolls out and is sacked for a nine-yard loss?

Noel Devine goes for 188 yards on just 18 carries. Why didn’t he get the rock more often?

Then there was screen after screen after screen after .. you get the idea. So did Syracuse.

But Mullen, to his credit, took the brunt.

Even as I got the idea that, yes, perhaps the Stewbirds were indeed right — oh, how the mighty had Mullen (er, fallen).

Even as he was being asked about job security, in a round-about way.

The man refused to make excuses.

“There’s no penalty, there’s no missed assignment, there’s no turnover, there’s no anything that at the end of the day people want to hear about,” Mullen said. “And we’re not going to give it to them. I’ve got to coach (the offense) better. I’ve got to prepare them better. And if it falls on me, it’s all good. That’s the way it’s supposed to happen.”

Mullen was asked about Tony Franklin, the guy who was hired to take Auburn into a new era with his version of the spread offense. Well, earlier this week, Franklin was fired by head coach Tommy Tuberville. Did Mullen worry about a similar rude awakening in his situation, given how the Mountaineers have struggled offensively? Ironic that Auburn is the Mountaineers’ next opponent. Or convenient.

“You have every right to ask that question,” Mullen said. “It is what it is. I can’t comment on the situation at Auburn. I don’t know coach Franklin or coach Tuberville and the situation that went on down there. I respectfully decline to answer that question.”

Is he concerned about his job?

“It’s like any profession,” Mullen said. “If you’re not doing what you’re prepared and paid to do, you’re going to go back and evaluate. We’ll do that as a staff, see where it is we’re missing the mark and make the corrections where they’re needed.

“I’m too worried about taking care of these football players to worry about my job situation. The good Lord put me in this position, and if he chooses to take me out of it, hey, He’ll find somewhere else for me to go. My whole life I’ve been provided for when things were tough. I’ve got absolutely no fear about that.

“My only fear is that our football team doesn’t get the recognition they deserve. I’m in charge of those young people on game day and I want them to have the success. Not me. We have difficult days, then I’m taking the credit and they are taking zero blame. And if that costs me a job, then I’ve done my job.”

And he heard your boos, people.

“Heck, half the time I was booing myself,” Mullen said, bringing a little bit of levity to the situation. “That’s the great thing about Mountaineer Nation. You want to be at a place where people care. You have to give them something to cheer about.”

He came to the right place. People care, and don’t mind letting you know just how bad it is they feel when the Mountaineers don’t play well.

And he is now on the clock with the fans.

And it’s ticking.