Dan Mullen introduced as Florida head coach
Florida formally introduced new head coach Dan Mullen at a Monday press conference in the "Gator Room" at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
* Athletic director Scott Stricklin opened the press conference by thanking UF president Dr. Kent Fuchs for being extremely helpful. He also recognized various UAA staffers.
* Stricklin valued the input of former Florida coach and current athletic department ambassador Steve Spurrier.
* Stricklin due to past connection to Mississippi State, he would only hire Mullen if he emerged as the "unquestionable" best option for the job.
* Stricklin pointed to Mullen's development of quarterbacks at Utah, Florida and Mississippi State.
* Stricklin noted that Mullen understands the responsibilities of leading an SEC program.
* Stricklin says Mullen recognizes that an important part of the experience is having fun.
* Stricklin called Mullen one of the most creative and innovative minds in offensive football.
* Mullen thanked Stricklin for believing in him.
* Mullen says he was a huge fan of Steve Spurrier and the Florida Gators as a young coach. He says he wears the visor because of Spurrier.
* Mullen says he understands the pride of being a Florida Gator.
* Mullen says he "accepts" the standard of excellence.
* Relentless effort is more important to Mullen than offensive or defensive scheme. He indicates changes to scheme could change one year to the next. He does say that the offense will be a spread offense.
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* "You will see a team that plays with relentless effort from the first snap to the last."
* Mullen's expectation is to be the hardest-playing team in the country.
* Mullen said he's getting his bearings back around the football offices and facilities.
* Mullen described himself as thrilled to be representing Florida.
* Asked about past opportunities, Mullen said the timing was right this time to take on a new challenge.
* "I don't know if there's a better job in America than here."
* Mullen says Urban Meyer did a fantastic job of preparing his assistant coaches, but nothing can prepare you for being a head coach.
* He says he felt very different sitting down in the seat in the head coach's office at Florida.
* Mullen says he had a "friendly" and "simple" message to players when he met with them Monday. He says he started with academics. He also went over general expectations in core values.
* Mullen told players to rest up in December because the offseason conditioning program in January is going to be more intense than they've ever experienced.
* "Trust me, I know how important offense is here."
* "I don't know if there's anybody in this room who likes scoring points more than me."
* Mullen says Stricklin first reached out to him on Friday afternoon to gauge his interest. Stricklin reached out again Saturday looking to advance discussions. They came to a decision Saturday night. Mullen says he woke up even more excited Sunday morning.
* Mullen says it's too early to assess the Florida roster because MSU didn't play UF and he didn't see much of the Gators on film scouting SEC West teams.
* Mullen has high expectations for next season because of his nature.
* "Recruiting is the lifeblood of the program."
* "It's fun calling plays when Tim Tebow is your quarterback and he's throwing the ball out to a Percy Harvin, or Louis Murphy."
* Mullen called Florida's facilities "unbelievable."
* "We're in a state surrounded by great high school football players that we can go get."
* Mullen looks for mental and physical toughness first at quarterback. "They have to have tremendous leadership."
* Decision-making is one of the hardest things to evaluate in a quarterback prospect.
* "The smarter the quarterback is, the more we can do."
* He called having a running quarterback "a bonus."
* "I understand the scrutiny that you're under here and the expectation of the fan base."
* Mullen thinks he's ready for the pressure at Florida because he has been an SEC head coach.
* Mullen asks his former quarterbacks what they're learning from their NFL coaches.
* "Recruiting is going to go over the top of everything."
* Mullen indicates a final staff may not be in place until after the New Year."
* Getting former players involved with the program will be critical to success.
* Mullen said his "lateral move" comment was coachspeak. "I'm pretty passionate about wherever I am."
* Freshmen will be allowed to speak to the media once they've played in a game.
* Mullen's big question with discipline will be, "Was this a mistake or a core values issue?"
* Mullen has already been to Steve Spurrier's office and said he saw game film on the computer. He said he would be shocked if Spurrier doesn't come to practice and offer input.
* The Sept. 29, 2018 trip to Mississippi State will be a "tough, emotional" game.
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