By Jordan Long
On Monday, the University of Florida hired their head coach for the football team, Dan Mullen. The job had been opened since they let go of Jim McElwain on October 29th. According to NBSCsports.com, Mullen said, “We will give relentless effort in everything that we do on and off the field. Our commitment will match the passion that the Gator Nation has for this program.”
Florida is familiar with Mullen. He was an assistant coach with the Gators from 2005 to 2008 under Urban Meyer. Mullen spent the last 9 years as the Head Coach of Mississippi State.
His resume at Mississippi State tells how he can turn a school around. In the 8 seasons before Mullen, Mississippi State was an unimpressive 29-65. Since 2009, Mullen guided them to a 69-46 record and they are 8-4 this season. His winning percentage was .600. Mississippi State missed a bowl game only once under Mullen back in 2009 when they were 5-7. Mullen even appeared in one Orange Bowl with Mississippi State in 2014. Their bowl record was 5-2.
Mullen is the right man for the job. He will be able to recruit and make this school a winner again. It may take a few years before the Gators are able to compete for an SEC Title and maybe a birth in the College Football Playoff.
The Gators are lucky to have a coach with this much college experience. They know he can turn the program into a winner since he did that at Mississippi State. Florida must be patient with him. They can’t fire him after 2 years because that is not enough time to recruit players to make this school into a consistent winner. Hopefully Mullen can deliver a few SEC Championships and a berth in the College Football Playoff. Time will tell.
What do you think of the University of Florida hiring Dan Mullen?
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