Georgia Bulldogs defensive back is transferring to the UNLV Rebels and Dan Mullen after spending one season at UGA
Former Georgia Bulldog safety Jake Pope has officially transferred to the UNLV Rebels. He will be coached by former Florida Gators coach Dan Mullen, a rival of Kirby Smart.
Pope spent his first two years with the Alabama Crimson Tide before transferring to Georgia for this past season. Pope didn’t record a stat in the four games he played.
The most memorable moment of Pope’s Georgia career was against Ole Miss, when he was recorded celebrating with one of his former high school teammates. Kirby Smart remarked on the incident, calling Pope “an idiot” before later apologizing. Pope entered the transfer portal on Dec. 15 and now will be playing in the Mountain West.
Georgia is losing a ton of defensive backs via the transfer portal and the 2025 NFL draft. Malaki Starks just declared for the draft and Dan Jackson is out of eligibility. Georgia also lost Julian Humphrey to Texas A&M, Justyn Rhett to Nebraska, and Daniel David-Sisavanh.
Georgia has been active in the transfer portal especially at defensive back. UGA picked up brothers Zachariah Branch (receiver) and Zion Branch (safety) from USC and Jaden Harris (safety) from Miami.
Texas A&M defensive analyst Kyle Hoke is headed to UNLV
Texas A&M’s 2024 season ended at 8-5 amid coach Mike Elko’s first season with the program, and while the Aggies’ 1-4 finish to the year was dissapointing, Elko is on the precipous of building a successful program that through recruiting and the transfer portal.
However, annual staff changes are inevitable, as Texas A&M defensive analyst Kyle Hoke will join new UNLV head coach Dan Mullen in Las Vegas as the program’s newest safeties coach, a position he held with San Diego State before joining the Aggies.
During his four-year stint with the Aztecs, Hoke spent four seasons coaching safeties in the Mountain West as an assistant coach at San Diego State under his uncle, Brady Hoke.
In 2023, Hoke’s safeties recorded seven of 11 San Diego State interceptions, which ranked third in the league, led by then senior safety Cedarious Barfield ranked third in the league in interceptions with four.
Hoke is a young rising star with defensive coordinator dreams, and under a Dan Mullen-led regime, I expect the Rebel’s safety group to become one of the better rotations in the Mountain West.
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Mullen agreed in principle to a five-year deal with the Rebels on Thursday. The deal hasn’t been finalized, but the financial terms should come out soon, according to ESPN.
Mullen was fired in 2021 after a loss to Missouri sunk the Gators to a 5-6 record. He had a 34-15 record with Florida. Before that, he coached at Mississippi State for nine years with a 69-46 record.
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Mullen will replace Barry Odom, who left UNLV to coach Purdue on Dec. 8. The Rebels will lose a great deal of talent due to graduation, including their starting quarterback; linebacker Jackson Woodward, the Mountain West defensive player of the year; and wide receiver Ricky White III, who won the Mountain West special teams player of the year award after blocking four punts.
Three years later, Dan Mullen has finally found a new college football home.
Former Florida football head coach [autotag]Dan Mullen[/autotag] has finally found a new home three years after leaving Gainesville amidst much animosity.
On Thursday, earlier rumors that Mullen would be taking the head coach job with the UNLV Rebels were confirmed by Brett McMurphy of the Action Network. He replaces Barry Odom, who spent two seasons in Vegas before taking the head coach position with the Purdue Boilermakers.
Mullen was recommended to his new school by Las Vegas Bowl executive director John Saccenti because of the strong relationship between the two, according to sources.
Over the course of his collegiate head coaching career, Mullen has amassed a 103–61 record split between the tenures with the Mississippi State Bulldogs and the Gators. He went 69-46 stretching over nine seasons in Starkville, leading his program to a 10-win season in 2014 — his peak year with MSU.
During his four seasons at Florida, Mullen put together a 34-15 record including a 21-14 mark in SEC play and a pair of 10-plus win campaigns. However, he went 5-6 in his final year in Gainesville before splitting up with the program, leaving Greg Knox to handle the duties in the interim and ultimately resulting in Florida’s first of three-straight losing seasons.
Since then, Mullen has spent his time on the airwaves as a talking head, appearing on various sports media programs. But the siren song of the sidelines always seems to be calling.
“I love doing the TV. I love the situation I’m at. You never say never to go back to coaching. It would have to be the right head coaching opportunity for me and my family,” he noted during a Nov. 21 appearance on The Paul Finebaum Show.
“When you coach, you’re all in. It’s life-consuming. It consumes your life, your whole family’s life. So, if the right opportunity ever presented itself, you never know, I might go back. But I’m really enjoying this kind of media, TV life. And, being on your side of things.”
One of Mullen’s biggest criticisms during his time with Florida was his lackadaisical approach to prep recruiting during the regular season. Hopefully for his new school, the lesson has been learned.
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Hiring this former SEC head coach could be just what the Tar Heels need to turn their program around.
The North Carolina Tar Heels made the necessary decision to fire head football coach Mack Brown during Thanksgiving Week, putting an end to their winningest head coach in program history.
UNC has already started searching for the next head coach – and appears to have several named lined up already, including former player and current Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. The question now is: when will North Carolina make a hire?
If you recognize Mullen’s name, he was the most successful coach in Mississippi State history. Mullen also coached at Florida, before being fired midway through 2021.
“It would have to be the right head coaching opportunity for me and my family,” Mullen recently told SEC Network’s Paul Finebaum. “When you coach, you’re all in. It’s life-consuming.”
Mullen led Mississippi State, now the laughingstock of SEC football, to eight straight bowl games and a Number One ranking in the 2014 college football season. Mullen’s first three Florida teams finished ranked (seventh/sixth in 2018 and 2019).
Mullen is still heavily involved in football, acting as a color commentator for ABC and ESPN. If Mullen wants to get back into coaching, his expertise could be just what the Tar Heels need to turn themselves into ACC contenders.
Despite all Brown’s success, his 2022-2024 seasons at UNC came with plenty of questions about his coaching abilities. North Carolina roared out to a 9-1 start in 2022, before losing its final four games. The 2023 Tar Heels started 6-0 and rose to 10th in the AP Poll, then ended the year 8-5.
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We promise former Florida head coach Dan Mullen ranks Georgia lower than anybody else
Former Florida Gators head coach and ESPN college football expert Dan Mullen ranks the Georgia Bulldogs lower than any other analyst. Mullen has Georgia as the No. 8 team in the bizarre rankings he released after Week 9. Perhaps Mullen is trying
Mullen does rank Georgia as the top one-loss team in the nation, but come on. You can’t just rank teams based on their records. Georgia has won games against Clemson and Texas, which are a better pair of wins than any of the seven teams ranked ahead of Georgia have.
Mullen then ranks Notre Dame No. 9 as his second-best one loss team. Maybe he forgot that that Notre Dame lost at home to Northern Illinois. Teams like Texas and Ohio State should be ranked over Notre Dame.
Mullen’s rankings differ greatly from the US LBM Coaches Poll, where Georgia is ranked No. 2. The one thing Mullen did not do is rank Florida in his top 25 ahead of their game on Saturday against Georgia.
Dan Mullen’s full top 10 college football rankings
Mullen announced his full top 25 rankings via Instagram. We aren’t sure what is up with these rankings, but we think Mullen is trying to draw attention to the nation’s undefeated teams.
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Georgia plays Florida at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Nov. 2. The Georgia-Florida game will be televised on ABC.
ESPN college football analyst Dan Mullen ranks Georgia football low in his latest top 10 after UGA’s loss at Alabama
College football’s Week 5 featured some very competitive action. The Georgia Bulldogs fell on the road to the Alabama Crimson Tide in an all-time great SEC game. Georgia’s 41-34 loss featured an amazing comeback. The Bulldogs trailed 28-0 in the first half, but turned things around and shockingly held a 34-33 lead with just over two minutes remaining.
However, Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe found wide receiver Ryan Williams for another long touchdown as the Crimson Tide moved to 4-0. Alabama is the new No. 1 in ESPN college football expert Dan Mullen‘s top 10 rankings following Week 5.
Mullen, who previously coached at Florida and Mississippi State, continues to be low on the Georgia Bulldogs. He ranks Georgia No. 9 in his rankings, which is quite surprising. Mullen does rank Georgia as his top one loss team in the country, so he is giving Georgia some credit, but he definitely ranks Georgia lower thank most.
Dan Mullen’s top 10 college football rankings after Week 5
Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Ryan Williams is having an elite freshman season. John David Mercer-Imagn Images
ESPN college football analyst Dan Mullen ranks UGA outside his top five
ESPN college football expert Dan Mullen released his top 10 rankings following Week 4. Mullen, who was previously the head coach at Florida and Mississippi State, is shockingly low on Georgia. Mullen ranks Georgia as his No. 6 team in the country. It would be hard to find anyone else who ranks Georgia lower.
Mullen continues to rank the Ohio State Buckeyes as his No. 1 team despite the easy schedule they have faced. The former Florida coach ranks the Texas Longhorns at No. 2 and the Alabama Crimson Tide at No. 3 ahead of his new No. 4, the Tennessee Volunteers.
Mullen moved Utah into his top 10 after Utah’s solid road win at Oklahoma State. Five of Mullen’s top seven teams are from the SEC. We look at how each of his top 10 teams are performed in Week 4.
Dan Mullen’s top 10 college football rankings after Week 4
The Ohio State Buckeyes are Dan Mullen’s No. 1 team despite having no Power Four wins. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images)
1. Ohio State Buckeyes (49-14 win vs. Marshall)
Ohio State has not beaten a Power Four team yet, but they have a wealth of talent, which is enough for Mullen to rank the Buckeyes No. 1. Ohio State finally plays its first Power Four team (Michigan State) on Sept. 28.
2. Texas Longhorns (51-3 win vs. Louisiana Monroe)
Texas earned a easy home win over Louisiana Monroe in Arch Manning’s first career start. Texas hosts Mississippi State, who is the bottom team in UGA Wire’s SEC power rankings, in Week 5.
3. Alabama Crimson Tide (bye week)
Alabama and quarterback Jalen Milroe had a bye in Week 4 ahead of their top-five battle against Georgia. Alabama is coming off an impressive road win at Wisconsin.
4. Tennessee Volunteers (25-15 win at Oklahoma)
The Tennessee Volunteers picked up their best win of the season in Week 4. Tennessee’s defense held Oklahoma under 50 rushing yards and is capable of keeping almost any SEC offense in check.
5. Miami Hurricanes (50-15 at USF)
Miami dominated USF in the second half. The Hurricanes have a big game on Sept. 27 against Virginia Tech.
Georgia’s most recent 13-12 win over Kentucky did not impress Mullen. Georgia will have a huge opportunity in Week 5 at Alabama.
7. Ole Miss Rebels (52-13 win vs. Georgia Southern)
Ole Miss Rebels quarterback Jaxson Dart had another dominant performance in the Rebels’ big home win over Georgia Southern. Ole Miss is 4-0 and plays Kentucky in Week 5.
8. Oregon Ducks (bye week)
Oregon had its bye week in Week 4. Quarterback Dillon Gabriel and the Ducks play at UCLA in Week 5. Oregon is 3-0 and we can’t help but look forward to the Ducks’ Oct. 12 home game against Ohio State.
9. Utah Utes (22-19 win at Oklahoma State)
Utah put on a gritty performance in their 22-19 win at Oklahoma State. The Utes won a tough road game without starting quarterback Cam Rising, but will need to be better offensively moving forward.
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10. Penn State Nittany Lions (56-0 win vs. Kent State)
Penn State took care of business against a terrible Kent State team in Week 4. The Nittany Lions host Illinois on Sept. 28 in a ranked battle between Big Ten teams.
Former Florida head coach Dan Mullen ranks the Georgia Bulldogs behind three other SEC schools
ESPN college football analyst Dan Mullen released his top 10 rankings following Week 3. Mullen, who previously served as the Florida Gators and Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach, ranks the Ohio State Buckeyes as his No. 1 team.
The former Florida coach ranks Ohio State over the No. 2 Texas Longhorns. Mullen ranks the Alabama Crimson Tide No. 3 ahead of his new No. 4, the Tennessee Volunteers. Both Alabama and his No. 5 team, the Georgia Bulldogs, have a bye in Week 4 before Georgia plays at Alabama in Week 5.
Mullen also ranks the Penn State Nittany Lions and Kansas State Wildcats in his top 10 a week after having them outside his top 10. Five of Mullen’s top six teams are from the SEC. We look at who each of his top teams are scheduled to play in Week 4.
Dan Mullen’s top 10 college football rankings after Week 3
The Georgia Bulldogs dropped three spots in Dan Mullen’s rankings after their performance at Kentucky. Carter Skaggs-Imagn Images
1. Ohio State Buckeyes (vs. Marshall)
Ohio State plays its first Power Four team on Sept. 28. The Buckeyes had a bye week in Week 3. Ohio State has a wealth of talent, which is enough for Mullen to put them No. 1.
2. Texas Longhorns (vs. Louisiana Monroe)
Texas earned a comfortable, 56-7, home win over UTSA even though quarterback Quinn Ewers suffered an injury. The Longhorns looked like national championship contenders in their Week 2 win over Michigan.
3. Alabama Crimson Tide (bye week)
Alabama and quarterback Jalen Milroe played well on the road to pick up a 42-10 win at Wisconsin in Week 3. The Crimson Tide have a bye in Week 4 before hosting Georgia in a top-five battle.
4. Tennessee Volunteers (at Oklahoma)
Dan Mullen likes what the Tennessee Volunteers are doing to start the 2024 college football season. Brandon Sumrall/Getty Images
The Tennessee Volunteers incinerated Kent State, 71-0, to set up a big game at Oklahoma in one of the top games of Week 4. The Volunteers already have an impressive 51-10 win over NC State. Mullen jumped Tennessee from No. 8 to No. 4 after beating Kent State, which is a little inexplicable.
Georgia’s 13-12 win over Kentucky did not impress Mullen, and he dropped UGA to No. 5. The Bulldogs will have another chance to prove themselves in Week 5 at Alabama.
6. Ole Miss Rebels (vs. Georgia Southern)
Ole Miss Rebels quarterback Jaxson Dart continued to cruise in Week 3 against a decent opponent, Wake Forest. Ole Miss stayed in control throughout its 40-6 win at Wake Forest.
7. Oregon Ducks (bye week)
Abigail Dollins/Statesman Journal
Oregon had its best performance of the season in Week 3 as the Ducks pummeled in-state rival Oregon State, 49-14. Quarterback Dillon Gabriel and the Ducks are 3-0. Gabriel produced more than 350 total yards and three total touchdowns in Oregon’s big win.
8. Miami Hurricanes (at USF)
Miami dominated in a 62-0 win at home against Ball State in Week 3. The Hurricanes’ next Power Four game is Sept. 27 against Virginia Tech.
9. Penn State Nittany Lions (vs. Kent State)
Penn State had a bye in Week 3. The Nittany Lions host Kent State before playing Illinois on Sept. 28.
10. Kansas State Wildcats (at BYU)
Kansas State picked up a big 31-7 road win against Arizona in a nonconference game between two Big 12 teams. The Wildcats play at BYU on Sept. 21 in another fun Big 12 game.
