Take Two: Grade Dan Mullen's first week as the Florida head coach

-----

* Wommack: Five players who should benefit from the coaching change

* All eyes on Florida's quarterbacks

* UF reveals contract details

* 30 DAY FREE TRIAL OFFER (PROMO CODE Gators30)

-----

On Friday afternoon, Paul Finebaum still had trouble saying it, "Dan Mullen coach of the Gators."

Mullen, 45, accepted the job Sunday and was formally introduced Monday. In terms of a typical Monday-Friday work week, Mullen has wrapped up his first week on the job. The reality, however, is that one can expect the new coach to tirelessly work long hours, seven days a week from now until National Signing Day (Feb. 7, 2018).

Before speaking to the media Monday afternoon, Mullen was already contacting Florida's top recruits. He also made multiple staff changes.

Now Inside the Gators grades his first week as UF head coach.

I give Mullen’s first week on the job a grade of A-.

It might not seem like much, but chomping as he got off the plan was a smart move. It helped remind fans that Mullen genuinely loves having this job and that he is excited to be at Florida. It also gave UF a perfect photo and video to use in promotional material.

Mullen aced his introductory press conference. He was engaging and confident without being too cocky or saying anything that will come back to bite him a few years down the road (like winning with his dog at quarterback). He has also moved swiftly in making much-needed staff changes and has hit the ground running on the recruiting trail.

The only misstep so far, in my opinion, is his handling of Matt Corral’s recruitment.

Corral is telling reporters that he has not yet spoken with Mullen. Meanwhile, Mullen has time to go see Justin Fields and Billy Gonzales is the coach visiting Corral. Geographically it may make sense, but the optics speak for themselves. Corral is the highest-rated Florida commitment and one would expect him to be Mullen’s top priority, but the coach is sending mixed messages. That’s why I give him an A- instead of A.

At the beginning of the search many in the Gator Nation were fixated on either Chip Kelly or Scott Frost, with Dan Mullen mostly an afterthought well down the board. The first two being thought of as more of the 'splash' type of hire, while Mullen's name didn't carry quite the 'sizzle' for many.

Other than being of the opinion that I didn't think he had enough of a name to be considered a much needed 'wow' hire, from the start I did however think, and write, that I thought Mullen would be the best fit and the best, safest, longtime hire.

While there may have been some disappointed at first that he wasn't a home-run type hire, for his part during his Monday introductory press conference I thought Mullen knocked the ball out of the park.

His passion for the Florida job came through. His description of how runs a program brought back memories of some of the most positive attributes of the Urban Meyer era at Florida.

On top of that he also has two familiar faces in Billy Gonzales and John Hevesy already on staff and out on the road recruiting.

Adding defensive coordinator Todd Grantham, one of the top defensive minds in the game and the leader of the nation's No. 10 rated defense this year, was another power move.

Yes Florida has suffered another big name decommit in Divaad Wilson this week, but the recruiting news has been much more positive than negative.

Overall, after watching the press conference for about the fifth time, I give Mullen an A+ coming out of the gate.

------

Thank you for reading this Inside the Gators article. To discuss it, please visit the Alligator Alley Forum.