Last Sunday morning, Athletic Director Scott Stricklin announced Dan Mullen as Jim McElwain’s successor as Florida's new Head Coach.
Mullen has been coaching in the NCAA for twenty-four years, and fifteen years in the SEC, but he's no stranger to working in the Swamp. From 2005 to 2008, Mullen, known for developing quarterbacks, served as Florida’s offensive coordinator under Head Coach Meyer, during Florida’s prime with star players like Tim Tebow and Chris Leaks. Mullen is especially known for developing other star quarterbacks like the 2008 NFL draft's number one overall pick, Alex Smith, current Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott who is regarded as one of the most successful SEC quarterbacks in history, and current Mississippi State quarterback Nick Fitzgerald who currently holds the SEC record for most rushing yards in a single season by a quarterback. During his four-season stint as offensive coordinator, the Gators won two SEC championships, two national championships, and had 23 victories out of 25 games.
Mullen left Florida for a head-coaching contract with Mississippi State in 2008. With the bulldogs, in 2014 Mullen was presented with the SEC Coach of the year award in after putting Mississippi State in the national spotlight, and leading them to the number one team in the nation for six straight weeks until a heartbreaking loss to Alabama.
Florida’s Athletic Director Scott Stricklin is more than confident in our new head coach, stating
“I strongly believe Dan is the most prepared candidate to have immediate and long-term success at the University of Florida. Coach Mullen is one of the best offensive minds in all of college football, and has an unbelievable track record in tutoring successful quarterbacks."
If you’re still not convinced Mullen can clean up our current pathetic mess of a football program, just look at his track record. Prior to his MSU contract, the Bulldogs had a 32-65 record across eight seasons. Mullen turned the program around and in nine seasons produced a winning record of 69-46 including a ten win season in 2014. Mullen also lead the Bulldogs to eight straight bowl games, including the New Years Six bowl, and won five out of seven games, just shy of his eighth before leaving the program for the Gators. Before Mullen arrived, Mississippi State was bowl eligible just once in the ten years prior to his arrival as head coach.
Coach Mullen is also bringing his defensive coordinator from Mississippi State, Todd Grantham, along to the Swamp. This season Grantham's defense was ranked tenth in the nation.
We look forward to see how our new coach plays out and hope to see a drastic turn around for the Gators in the near future.
