TUPELO - Like any coach, Dan Mullen has his mood swings. One day he’s smiling and loquacious with the media, the next he’s solemn, offering clipped replies to questions.

This August, the latter disposition has yet to make an appearance.

Now, perhaps this means nothing. It is the preseason, after all. No losses or sloppy game-week practices for Mississippi State’s second-year coach to agonize over. No weekly press conferences and glaring camera lights to test his patience.

That all will come soon enough.

MSU’s season opener against Memphis is just 16 days away. Mullen flew to Bristol, Conn., on Wednesday to make the rounds at ESPN, which is paying the SEC a boatload of money to broadcast its games.

So the pressure is going to start building very soon, especially with the expectations imposed on this team by both fans and Mullen himself.

As of Tuesday, everything was just dandy, even after what Mullen described as a “sloppy” practice. You could easily blame the rain for the sloppiness – MSU was working on game situations, as installation is completed – but as Mullen so often likes to say, “We’ve got to play in it,” so it’s not acceptable to him.

Nevertheless, he was in his usual good spirits when speaking with reporters.

“I love our effort,” Mullen said. “That’s one thing I’ve always wanted to preach, that we’re going to have that team that always tries hard.”

That effort – or as he often calls it, “relentless effort” – seems to be what Mullen craves most from his players. And while that’s a noble sentiment, effort won’t count for much in the eyes of others if MSU doesn’t win some ballgames over the next few years.

That pressure to win will mount each week, but will Mullen remain as sunny as he has been? Does it even matter?

Probably not, but I have noticed a mellowing of sorts with the 38-year-old. Mullen’s admitted to being more comfortable with his duties, and a high comfort level can tamp down the anxiety like nothing else.

And that does matter. Being a head coach can be an unhealthy grind. Just ask Urban Meyer.

There’s also the fact that Mullen’s team is more comfortable in what they’re doing. They’ve learned his offense, they know what to expect from him on a daily basis, they believe in his vision and parrot it every chance they get.

That vision includes a trip to Atlanta. Appearing on ESPN2’s “First Take” program Wednesday, Mullen reiterated that his goal this season and every season is to reach Atlanta and the SEC championship game.

Then, when asked about former pupil Tim Tebow’s interesting haircut (part of his NFL rookie hazing), Mullen said he would let his players “mohawk me” if the Bulldogs reach the title game.

I believe Mullen’s immaculate coiffure is safe for the time being, but it’s the kind of statement that makes you think more smiles are in his future.

Brad Locke (brad.locke@djournal.com) covers Mississippi State for the Daily Journal and blogs daily at NEMS360.com.