GAINESVILLE, Fla. — GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) - A person familiar with the search tells The Associated Press that Florida has targeted Mississippi State's Dan Mullen as its next football coach.
Ink's dry. Dan Mullen is the new head man at UF
— Marcel Robinson (@MarcelASJax) November 26, 2017
The person spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity Sunday because the Gators and Mullen were still working toward a deal. Yahoo Sports first reported Florida's intentions.
The expected move would reunite Florida with Mullen, who helped develop quarterbacks Alex Smith, Tim Tebow and Dak Prescott.
Spurned by Chip Kelly and seemingly unwilling to risk waiting for UCF's Scott Frost to possibly do the same, Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin turned to Mullen. Stricklin and Mullen worked together in Starkville, Mississippi, from 2009 to 2016. Stricklin was Mississippi State's athletic director for seven of those years.
In the end, I strongly believe Dan is the most prepared candidate to have immediate and long-term success at the University of Florida," Stricklin said in a statement. "Coach Mullen is one of the best offensive minds in all of college football, and has an unbelievable track record in tutoring successful quarterbacks." |
Mullen previously spent four years (2005-08) as Florida's offensive coordinator and won two national championships while guiding Tebow to the top of the school record books.
The Gators have mostly sputtered on offense since.
Happy to have you back, @CoachDanMullen.#GoGators pic.twitter.com/TuwSN6yyGz
— Coach Steve Spurrier (@SteveSpurrierUF) November 26, 2017
Associated Press
