The Jets’ will extend their head-coaching search to the college ranks.
Dan Mullen, the University of Florida head coach, is set to interview for the Jets’ head-coaching position within the next few days according to WCJB’s Claudia Bellofatto.
NFL Network first mentioned Mullen as a possible name to consider for New York’s head coach opening at the end of the regular season. Just last week, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Mullen was looking to go to the pro level.
Joe Douglas made it clear that that NFL coaching experience was not a requirement in the Jets’ search.
“If there’s a college coach that has these critical factors,” Douglas said on ESPN’s The Michael Kay Show, “… it’s not gonna matter whether they’re a college or a pro coach.”
Mullen, 48, has never coached at the NFL level. Mullen took his first head-coaching job at Mississippi State, where he was in charge of the Bulldogs from 2009-17. He then left for Florida, where he’s held his current post for the past three seasons. Overall, Mullen has a 98-54 record as a college head coach.
Before getting the Mississippi State job, Mullen served as the Gators offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach from 2005-08. Previously, he was Utah’s quarterbacks coach from 2003-04 but followed Urban Meyer to Gainesville. Mullen also has experience as an assistant coach, paying his dues with stops at Wagner, Columbia, Syracuse, Bowling Green and Notre Dame.
Not only is Mullen a CEO-type head coach, but he’s been lauded for his work with quarterbacks at the collegiate level, from Alex Smith to Tim Tebow to Dak Prescott. Recently, he helped turn outgoing Gators quarterback Kyle Trask into a Heisman candidate and likely high draft pick.
Mullen has been in hot water with the NCAA. Florida was recently placed on probation while Mullen was sanctioned for committing recruiting violations.
The Jets’ current roster includes several former Florida Gators, but Mullen has only coached two of them: La’Mical Perine and Jabari Zuniga.