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.
At least FSU is more miserable than Florida, right? RIGHT?!
The Southeastern Conference schedule-opening matchup between the Florida Gators and Texas A&M Aggies in the Swamp did not go quite how the home team had hoped. Instead, the Orange and Blue once again looked overmatched on its own turf in a 33-20 defeat.
It was difficult to tell what was worse on Saturday — the weather or Florida’s performance. Once again, [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag]’s Gators put up a sloppy and undisciplined effort which has been the trademark of the program since the [autotag]Dan Mullen[/autotag] days.
USA TODAY Sports columnist Dan Wolken assembled his misery index for college football’s Week 3 with rival Florida State Seminoles making the headlines. However, Florida was first in line after them and there was plenty to say about the Gators’ current turmoil.
“The Seminoles’ in-state rivals are even deeper in the mud than they are, but the only thing saving the Gators from being No. 1 this week is that expectations weren’t high in Gainesville to begin with,” Wolken begins.
“Still, it’s a true illustration of Billy Napier’s current predicament that the Gators have failed to even clear the lowest possible bar anyone could have set for them,” he continues.
“Saturday’s limp 33-20 loss in the Swamp to Texas A&M was even more one-sided than the final score and illustrated one of the main issues with the Gators. They don’t play hard. They don’t step on the field with as much passion or confidence as their opponents. They have no aura. And this was one of the few games on their schedule that, on paper, they had a great chance to win!
“But when you are on the wrong end of a 3-0 turnover ratio and make just 2-of-9 third downs, you’re not going to beat anyone with a pulse.”
Up next for the Gators
Florida will play their first road game of the season as they travel up to Starkville to play against the Mississippi State Bulldogs on Saturday, Sept. 21. Kickoff is set for noon ET and will be broadcast on ESPN.
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It should comes as no surprise that the Gators headline this week’s losers bracket from USA TODAY Sports.
Florida football earned the “loser” title in two of the three first weekends of the 2024 campaign from USA TODAY Sports after another weak showing on the collegiate gridiron. On a rainy day in the Swamp, the Gators were whipped by the Texas A&M Aggies, 33-20, falling to 1-2 on the season and 0-1 in SEC play.
Paul Myerberg composed his weekly winners and losers column on Sunday, with the Orange and Blue headlining the loser’s section. What he had to offer was not much consolation to Florida fans.
“This is getting uglier and uglier, leaving almost no doubt whatsoever that Florida is about to embark on yet another coaching search after yet another failed hire in four seasons or less,” Myerberg begins.
“If you’re keeping track, every UF coach since Urban Meyer resigned (again) in 2010 has been canned within that time frame: [autotag]Will Muschamp[/autotag] (2011-14), [autotag]Jim McElwain[/autotag] (2015-17), [autotag]Dan Mullen[/autotag] (2018-21) and now [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag]. Saturday’s 33-20 loss at home to Texas A&M was never even competitive despite being as close to a must-win game as you’ll find on the schedule,” he continues.
“Getting to a bowl game without beating the Aggies? The 1-2 Gators have essentially no chance at getting to six wins given the nastiness of this year’s schedule and the team’s obvious lack of talent, drive, consistency. And hope. Hope is also in very short supply.”
Up next for the Gators
Florida will play their first road game of the season as they travel up to Starkville to play against the Mississippi State Bulldogs on Saturday, Sept. 21. Kickoff is set for noon ET and will be broadcast on ESPN.
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