Two days after Florida’s humbling 27-point loss to rival Georgia, Dan Mullen circled the wagons, closed the ranks and focused on a strong finish to a disappointing season.
The effusive Gators’ coach known for expansive answers and 30-plus minute media sessions to open game weeks addressed reporters for a dozen minutes Monday. An hour later, the school canceled remaining media access, including a weekly Q&A with embattled defensive coordinator Todd Grantham.
The about-face comes amid a growing perception problem.
Florida’s 34-7 loss to Georgia hinged primarily on a three-minute meltdown to end the first half against the nation’s top-ranked team. Yet, a 3-turnover stretch by quarterback Anthony Richardson leading to 21 points for the Bulldogs intensified questions about every aspect of Mullen’s Gators (4-4, 2-4 SEC) entering the regular season’s final month.
Recruiting tops the list of concerns and was the basis for Monday’s opening question.
Mullen brushed aside the topic, immediately creating a social media furor.
“We’re in the season right now,” he said. “We’ll do recruiting after the season — when it gets to recruiting time we can talk about recruiting.”
Mullen might not have a hopeful message then, either.
The Gators’ 2022 class ranks No. 22 nationally and recently lost its two highest-rated prospects, linebacker Shemar James of Mobile, Alabana, and cornerback Julian Humphrey of Houston. James and Humphrey addressed two areas of need for a languishing defense expected to have a new coordinator, given Grantham’s contract expires in January.
Georgia coach Kirby Smart did not do Mullen any favors with postgame comments on recruiting’s importance. Since Mullen’s first class in 2018, the Bulldogs have signed 20 five-star recruits, or 16% of the total available, while Florida has inked two of those upper-echelon prospects.
“There’s no coach out there that can outcoach recruiting,” Smart said. “I don’t care who you are.”
Smart’s comments were incendiary for the many questioning Mullen’s methods, perceived to be laissez-faire in the cutthroat world of accruing talent.
Winning games is the best sales pitch. Mullen will place his energies there.
Problem is, the Gators’ November lineup, beginning Saturday at South Carolina, offer little opportunity to engender confidence in the program’s direction. The four remaining opponents have a combined 14-18 record.
The Gamecocks (4-4, 1-4) and Missouri (4-4, 1-3) have totaled two SEC wins; Nov. 13 foe Samford plays in the FCS; and a season-ending visit from Florida State (3-5) is a no-win situation. The Gators are expected to beat the Seminoles and will otherwise be castigated.
“Every week you get to answer a question when you step out there on the field,” Mullen said. “You play the schedule you play. We’re playing an excellent South Carolina team this week. That’s what I’m focused on. I do know we have a big rivalry game at the end of the season coming up.
“If you don’t bring your ‘A’ game every week, you can’t expect to win. So we got to bring our ‘A’ game and get ready to play these games.”
Florida tailback Dameon Pierce maybe more than anyone wanted to know the answer everyone had after the Gators’ one-sided loss Saturday in Jacksonville.
What will it take to finish the season on a high note?
“See, that’s a question I’ve got to ask myself, what can I do?” Pierce posited. “Because at this point in the season, it’s disappointing. As a leader, I’ve just got to lead by example and keep them guys encouraged.”
Mullen’s answer to Pierce is simple: Do what got you to Florida in the first place.
Even with the Gators’ goals out of reach, their coach did not anticipate a season-ending swoon.
“Here’s the thing: you don’t usually get here, you’re not playing football at the level that these guys play football at, you’re not playing in the Southeastern Conference, you’re not playing at the University of Florida if you have a complacent mindset,” Mullen said. “You don’t even make it here. That’s a competitor.
“Not everybody are competitors. The guys on our team our competitors, so I don’t even think there is anything to that.”
