Florida fired coach Dan Mullen on Sunday to conclude a dramatic fall from a top-10 program to an SEC also-ran during a 12-month span, a source confirmed to the Orlando Sentinel.
The decision came the day after the Gators’ 24-23 overtime loss at Missouri, the Gators fourth straight against SEC competition and ninth against their last 11 Power 5 foes.
The loss dropped Mullen to 34-15 in four seasons, a span including three straight appearances in New Year’s Six bowl games. But Gators (5-6) now prepare to close the regular season against Florida State in the Swamp with bowl eligibility in the balance.
This time last year, the Gators were No. 6 in the College Football Playoff rankings and riding high. But a Dec. 12 loss on Senior Night to LSU began the program’s rapid descent.
Even 10 weeks ago, Mullen’s Gators appeared on the right track, losing 31-29 at home to top-ranked Alabama. Florida has won twice since then, against SEC doormat Vanderbilt and Samford, an FCS opponent that became the first team ever to score 42 points during the first against a Florida team.
Some expected Florida might move onto a new coach following the performance, but UF athletic director Scott Stricklin gave Mullen a chance to save his job. The two men worked together at Mississippi State 2010-16, leading Stricklin to hire Mullen to replace Jim McElwain after the 2017 season.
Assistant coach Greg Knox, who coaches running backs and special teams, is expected to serve as interim coach on Senior Day against FSU. Kickoff is scheduled for noon on ESPN.
Knox stepped in for Mullen when he left for Florida in November of 2017 and coached Mississippi State during the 2017 TaxSlayer Bowl, a 31-27 Bulldogs win against Louisville led by Lamar Jackson.
Mullen’s firing leaves the school searching for its fourth head coach since Will Muschamp was fired in 2014. UF will pay Mullen, 49, a $12 million buyout, beginning with a $6 million payout in 30 days and $1 million installments each July 15 through 2027.
The school paid former head coaches Will Muschamp and Jim McElwain, and their assistants, more than $22 million.
The Gators’ next coach could carry a hefty price tag, too. Oregon’s Mario Cristobal, a Miami native and former FIU head coach, has a $9 million buyout, according to an industry source.
The timing also is right financially for the Gators to move onto a new regime.
Mullen fired defensive coordinator Todd Grantham and offensive line coach John Hevesy Nov. 7 after a 23-point loss at South Carolina. The two combined to earn nearly $2.5 million.
Mullen, a head coach with uncertain job status, would have to spend to replace them with quality coaches. Meanwhile, the contracts of four of the eight remaining assistant coaches expire Jan. 31.
A new coach also will be able to capitalize a state-of-the-art standalone facility slated to open in the spring and sure to boost the Gators’ recruiting effort.
But even though Mullen’s firing made sense on many levels, the moves still hit Florida players hard.
Sophomore defensive tackle Gervon Dexter tweeted, “A good coach can change a game, A great coach can change a life.” You changed my life.
