Here is another perspective on life changing money and SEC jobs. I don't believe anyone can be a consistent winner at either ole miss or miss state. The two of them and Southern Miss divide up too much of the pie, not to mention LSU and Alabama raiding them. Neitehr school is ever going to pull program changing talent from Louisiana as long as LSU is a semi pro team. So let's say Hud goes for "generation changing money" like 2 mill a year. Houston Nutt, a proven coach, lasted 3 years. There is a chance hud is good enough to win there, but chances are no. So let's say he lasts 4 years. that's 8 million. And his brand is damaged so he's now looking for a job at the bottom again. Now say he stays here and gets a raise to 550 k next year, goes back to the NO bowl and wins 10 games. We bump him to 750K. Now we have a new stadium and are filling it up with 50 k. Now we can pay him 1 mill plus. Lets say he stays for 20 years. I'm saying he's ahead, by a long shot, over a short stint in the SEC.
I know he won't pass up Miss St. But I would, and this is why. He'll make more money long term building a winner here, where we have talent everywhere and only one big time in state school to compete with for it. He'll also be a legend, probably have a field named after him, not to mention a whole generation of little boys named Hud Thibodeaux and Hud Hebert.
Now if LSU, Florida, or Alabame offered a job, that's a job you can win at. The talent is available, and you will be able to get it.
I hope this don't offend JohnBoy, but there is a reason no one has won consistantly at eitehr of those miss schools for generations. There is also a reason we have never won, but he retired two years ago. Hud has lit the fires, but the train will roll with or without him. If I was him I'd stay here, build a legacy AND set my family up for life.