-----
* Thanksgiving is over, but Gators still in a giving mood
* Instant Analysis: Florida falls to Florida State once again
*FLORIDA-FLORIDA STATE GAME THREAD FOR INFO, TIDBITS & OBSERVATIONS*
* 30 DAY FREE TRIAL OFFER (PROMO CODE Gators30)
-----
A familiar face is returning to Gainesville as Florida's new head coach. Former Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen was officially announced as the new head coach of the Gators.
"Megan and I are very excited to get back to Gainesville and the University of Florida," Mullen said. "I have such great memories of the championships we won during our time here and have a love for Florida. We are happy to be coming back to such a supportive administration, staff, student body and fan base, which is the premier football program in the country. "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."
It's a reunion for Mullen on multiple levels. He was a Florida assistant from 2005-08 as offensive coordinator under Urban Meyer, calling the plays for two BCS championship squads. During that time, Florida's offense ranked first in points per game (36.3), yards per play (6.5) and total QBR (77) according to ESPN stats.
Mullen, 45, left UF in 2009 to become the head coach at Mississippi State. From 2010-16, current Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin was Mullen's boss as MSU athletic director.
"I strongly believe Dan is the most prepared candidate to have immediate and long-term success at the University of Florida," Stricklin said. "Coach Mullen is one of the best offensive minds in all of college football, and has an unbelievable track record in tutoring successful quarterbacks (such as Alex Smith, Chris Leak, Tim Tebow, Dak Prescott and Nick Fitzgerald).
"Coach Mullen will do a tremendous job in developing accountability and toughness through a well-coordinated strength and conditioning program. Dan will work closely with the coaching staff, academic advising staff and administrative team to give every student athlete he coaches the opportunity to grow and excel at a high level athletically, academically and socially."
In nine seasons at Mississippi State, Mullen was 69-46 and 33-39 in SEC play. Under Mullen, the Bulldogs have been to seven consecutive bowl games. MSU is bowl eligible this season after finishing 8-4.
"I'm pleased with the approach and process that Scott Stricklin and his staff had in place for this search that landed us the best candidate to move our football program forward nationally," UF President Dr. W. Kent Fuchs said. "Coach Mullen has a very successful track record at Florida and the SEC, which includes his ability to develop student-athletes on and off the field at the highest level."
Mullen replaces former Florida coach Jim McElwain, who parted with UF on Oct. 29. In the press conference announcing McElwain's departure, Stricklin noted that Florida was at its best when it was fun. Stricklin clearly believes that the return of Mullen's spread option offense to Gainesville will result in an exciting product on the field.
Mullen is known for two current NFL quarterbacks: Alex Smith and Dak Prescott. His most famous quarterback, however, is obviously the one who has a statue outside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Tim Tebow.
Since Tebow graduated in 2009, Florida has been a revolving door at the quarterback position. During that same time, Mullen found success at Mississippi State with Prescott (2012-15) and his successor, Nick Fitzgerald. In his junior season, Fitzgerald went 159-of-286 passing for 1,782 yards, 15 touchdowns and 11 interceptions along with 162 rushes for a net 984 yards and 14 touchdowns.
------
Thank you for reading this Inside the Gators article. To discuss it, please visit the Alligator Alley Forum.
