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Dan Mullen

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For persons of a similar name, see Daniel Mullen (disambiguation).

Dan Mullen
Mullen in 2018
Current position
TitleHead coach
TeamUNLV
ConferenceMW
Record0–0
Biographical details
Born (1972-04-27) April 27, 1972 (age 52)
Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Alma materUrsinus College (B.S.)
Wagner College (M.S.)
Playing career
1992–1993Ursinus
Position(s)Tight end
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1994–1995Wagner (WR)
1996–1997Columbia (WR)
1998Syracuse (GA)[1]
1999–2000Notre Dame (GA)
2001–2002Bowling Green (QB)
2003–2004Utah (QB)
2005–2008Florida (OC/QB)
2009–2017Mississippi State
2018–2021Florida
2025–presentUNLV
Head coaching record
Overall103–61
Bowls7–3
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
1 SEC Eastern Division (2020)[2]
Awards
George Munger Award (2014)
SEC Coach of the Year (2014)

Daniel Mullen[3] (born April 27, 1972) is an American college football coach, who is currently the head coach at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He served as the head football coach at Mississippi State University from 2009 to 2017 and the University of Florida from 2018 until 2021.[4] From 2022 until 2024 he worked as a studio analyst and color commentator for ABC and ESPN.

Early life

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Mullen attended Trinity High School of Manchester, New Hampshire, where he helped lead the Pioneers to the state championship in 1988.[5]

College career

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Mullen attended Ursinus College in Collegeville, Pennsylvania, where he lettered for two years playing tight end and was a first-team All-Centennial Conference selection his senior year.[6] He graduated in 1994 with a bachelor's degree in Education. He went on to Wagner College, where he coached wide receivers and earned a master's degree in Education in 1996.[7]

Coaching career

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After serving as a graduate assistant at Syracuse and Notre Dame, Mullen was hired by Urban Meyer to coach QBs at Bowling Green from 2001 to 2002. Mullen would stay in the same position with Meyer after the latter was hired by Utah where they both stayed for the 2003 and 2004 seasons. During his tenure at Utah, he also recruited and briefly coached Brian Johnson, a quarterback who led Utah to 13–0 and a Sugar Bowl victory for the 2008-2009 season.[8]

Following an undefeated 2004 season which led to Utes QB Alex Smith being the first overall pick in the draft Meyer was hired by the University of Florida. Mullen served as interim offensive coordinator[9] for the 2005 Fiesta Bowl and led the team to a 35–7 win over the Pittsburgh Panthers. After the victory Mullen would join Meyer's staff at Florida as offensive coordinator and QB coach.

As a coach, Mullen has coached several notable players, including quarterbacks Alex Smith (Utah), Heisman Trophy-winner Tim Tebow (Florida), Dak Prescott (Mississippi State), and Kyle Trask (Florida).

Mullen, along with former Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers head coach Chip Kelly, and former Winnipeg Blue Bombers offensive coordinator Gary Crowton, are part of the so-called "New Hampshire mafia" as they all have strong connections to New Hampshire.[10]

Mississippi State

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On December 11, 2008, Mullen was hired as the head coach of Mississippi State by former Athletic Director Greg Byrne.[11]

Mullen's first recruiting class at Mississippi State was ranked 19th in the nation by Scout.com.[12] and his 2012 recruiting class was ranked 18th in the nation.[13] In his first season as head coach at Mississippi State in 2009, his team went 5–7 against the toughest schedule in the nation.[14]

In 2010, his Bulldog team went 9–4 overall and 4–4 in the SEC including victories over Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, and Mississippi; the four losses came to teams ranked in the top 12. Mississippi State capped off the 2010 season by defeating traditional power Michigan in the 2011 Gator Bowl, 52–14, and achieved a number-15 ranking in the final AP poll.[15]

In 2011, Mullen's Bulldogs entered the year ranked number 19 in the nation. A loss to Auburn in the first SEC game of the year hurt the Bulldogs, and they went into the game vs Ole Miss with a 5–6 record. They defeated the Rebels, 31–3, and defeated Wake Forest, 23–17, in the Music City Bowl to finish 7–6 on the year.[16]

In 2012, Mississippi State opened with a win over Jackson State and a win over Auburn, the first time the Bulldogs defeated the Tigers since 2007. Mississippi State had a 7–0 record, and a number 13 ranking, entering a game vs number 1, undefeated Alabama. MSU lost, 38–7, and lost two more, to number 16 Texas A&M and number 9 LSU. MSU defeated Arkansas, and was looking for a fourth straight win over Ole Miss, who was 5–6 going into the game, similar to MSU the year before. The Bulldogs lost, 41–24, and then lost to Northwestern, 34–20, in the Gator Bowl to finish 8–5.[17]

Mississippi State started the 2013 season against number 13 Oklahoma State, losing, 21–3. They defeated Alcorn State, but lost to Auburn, 24–20. They defeated Troy, Kentucky, and Bowling Green, and lost to LSU, South Carolina, Texas A&M, and Alabama, to drop to 4–6, traveling to Little Rock, Arkansas, to battle Arkansas. MSU won, 24–17, in overtime, and was 5–6 entering the Ole Miss game. MSU missed a game-winning field goal to send the game into overtime, and Dak Prescott got a 3-yard touchdown run on 4th and 2, giving Ole Miss the ball up 17–10. Bo Wallace fumbled in the end zone, giving MSU the 17–10 victory, and for the first time in school history, a fourth straight bowl berth. MSU defeated Rice, 44–7, in the Liberty Bowl to finish 7–6.[18]

In 2014, Mullen led the Bulldogs to one of the greatest seasons in school history. He claimed his first Top 10 win at Mississippi State, as the Bulldogs knocked off #8 LSU, 34–29, at Death Valley, allowing them to enter the polls at #12. He followed that up by beating #6 Texas A&M, 48–31, in Starkville, vaulting them to third in the nation. A week later, they beat #2 Auburn, 38–23, which propelled them to the top spot in both major polls (as well as the inaugural College Football Playoff Top 25) —the highest ranking in Mississippi State's history, and the highest that any FBS team in Mississippi had been ranked at that late date in almost half a century. Losses to Alabama and Mississippi ended any hope of a national championship. The Bulldogs finished 10–2 – only the third 10-win season in school [19] history. This netted them an appearance in the Orange Bowl, where they lost to Georgia Tech, 49–34, the third major bowl appearance in school history, after the 1937 Orange Bowl and the 1941 Orange Bowl.

On December 26, 2016, Mullen made SEC history when he became the first football coach in conference history to win a bowl game and still finish with a losing record on the season; Mississippi State finished the season with a 6–7 mark.[20]

On February 27, 2017, Mississippi State Athletic Director John Cohen announced a four-year extension for Mullen through February 2021.[21]

Primarily on the strength of his sterling 2014 season, Mullen was already the third-winningest coach in Mississippi State history, behind only Jackie Sherrill and Allyn McKeen. On October 14, the Bulldogs defeated Kentucky 45–7, giving Mullen his 66th win with the Bulldogs and vaulting him past McKeen to become the second-winningest coach in school history.

Florida

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On November 26, 2017, Mullen signed a six-year, $36.6 million contract[22] to become the new head coach of the Florida Gators football team.[23] ESPN ranked Mullen's first recruiting class at Florida at 13, an increase of six from the previous season.[24] After a 4–7 campaign the previous year under coach Jim McElwain, Mullen's first Gator squad went 10–3 and finished ranked No. 7 in the AP Poll after a 41–15 victory over then-No. 8 Michigan in the Peach Bowl. He led the Gators to an 11–2 record the following year including a 36–28 win over Virginia in the Orange Bowl.

In his third season at Florida, Mullen's Gators began the season 8-1 and were ranked as high as #4 as quarterback Kyle Trask put up record-breaking numbers, including a nation-high 4,125 passing yards and 43 passing touchdowns, the latter of which set a school single-season record. However, they lost their last three games while giving up 144 points, including a 55-20 loss to Oklahoma in Florida's first ever trip to the Cotton Bowl Classic. Though the offense performed well, Mullen drew increasing criticism for his seeming disinterest in the bowl game, his struggle to recruit elite players to Florida, and the Gators' porous defense, which gave up more points per game than any Florida squad in over a century.[25] Though many fans and observers called for Mullen to fire defensive coordinator Todd Grantham and shake up his defensive staff, he decided to keep Grantham and limited staff changes to two defensive assistant coaches.[26][27]

The Gators were 3–1 and ranked No. 10 at the end of September during the 2021 season, but a series of upset losses saw Florida's record slip below .500. After blowout losses to arch-rival Georgia and 18.5-point underdog South Carolina in October, Mullen fired defensive coordinator Todd Grantham.[27] After an overtime loss to underdog Missouri, Mullen was fired as the head coach of the Florida Gators on November 21, with the Gators' record at 5–6.[28]

Lake Oconee Academy

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On May 14, 2022, Mullen began volunteering as a "contributing resource" for the Lake Oconee Academy Titans by AD Chris Ingle.[29] Rumors flared days before this was released that he would be the offensive coordinator;[30] however, GHSA By-Law #2.51 states "An athletic coach must be a professional teacher meeting the teaching requirements and be employed by only one board of education or similar governing authority."[31] Mullen had no intention of teaching, thus the given title "contributing resource".

UNLV

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On December 12, 2024, Mullen was named the head coach at UNLV.[32]

Broadcasting career

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In 2022, Mullen became a TV broadcaster. He worked as a studio analyst and color commentator, covering college football for ABC and ESPN until 2024 when he reentered coaching.[33]

Personal life

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Mullen married his wife, Megan, in 2005.[34] Together, they have two children.[35] Mullen also has a son from a previous relationship.[36]

Head coaching record

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Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs Coaches# AP°
Mississippi State Bulldogs (Southeastern Conference) (2009–2017)
2009 Mississippi State 5–7 3–5 T–4th (Western)
2010 Mississippi State 9–4 4–4 5th (Western) W Gator 17 15
2011 Mississippi State 7–6 2–6 5th (Western) W Music City
2012 Mississippi State 8–5 4–4 4th (Western) L Gator
2013 Mississippi State 7–6 3–5 T–5th (Western) W Liberty
2014 Mississippi State 10–3 6–2 2nd (Western) L Orange† 12 11
2015 Mississippi State 9–4 4–4 T–5th (Western) W Belk
2016 Mississippi State 6–7 3–5 T–5th (Western) W St. Petersburg
2017 Mississippi State 8–4 4–4 T–4th (Western) TaxSlayer[a] 23 24
Mississippi State: 69–46 33–39
Florida Gators (Southeastern Conference) (2018–2021)
2018 Florida 10–3 5–3 T–2nd (Eastern) W Peach† 6 7
2019 Florida 11–2 6–2 2nd (Eastern) W Orange† 7 6
2020 Florida 8–4 8–3 1st (Eastern) L Cotton† 12 13
2021 Florida 5–6[b] 2–6 6th (Eastern) [b]
Florida: 34–15 21–14
UNLV Rebels (Mountain West Conference) (2025–present)
2025 UNLV 0–0 0–0
UNLV: 0–0 0–0
Total: 103–61
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth
  1. ^ Mullen left for Florida before the bowl game
  2. ^ a b Mullen was dismissed before the final regular-season game, a non-conference game

References

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  1. ^ Mink, Nate (July 13, 2020). "Former SU coach Paul Pasqualoni gets a new job (report)". syracuse.com. Retrieved July 14, 2020.
  2. ^ "Vanderbilt's roster issues force cancellation of UGA football's Senior Day".
  3. ^ https://media.ledger-enquirer.com/static/SEC-Coaching-Contracts/Mississippi-State/Dan-Mullen-2016.pdf
  4. ^ Sallee, Barrett (November 26, 2017). "Florida hires Mississippi State's Dan Mullen as new head football coach". CBS Sports. Retrieved November 27, 2017.
  5. ^ Smits, Garry. "Dan Mullen learned 'relentless effort' during high school days in New Hampshire". The Florida Times. Retrieved October 30, 2018.
  6. ^ Jensen, Mike. "Dan Mullen's rise at Miss. State has Philly fingerprints". Philly.com. Retrieved October 30, 2018.
  7. ^ Gordon, Carmac. "Mississippi State football coach Dan Mullen's road to No. 1 ranking started at Grymes Hill". SILive.com. Retrieved October 30, 2018.
  8. ^ Thamel, Pete (November 5, 2008). "Apprentice Hopes to Return Utah to B.C.S. Glory". New York Times.
  9. ^ "Offense is in Dan's hands". December 28, 2004.
  10. ^ Dodd, Dennis (December 10, 2008), "This time, Mullen in head chair to lead program's turnaround", CBS Sports, archived from the original on December 12, 2008
  11. ^ "Mississippi State announces Dan Mullen as head football coach". Mississippi State University Development and Alumni. Retrieved October 30, 2018.
  12. ^ "Football Recruiting Rankings 2009", Scout.com
  13. ^ "Football Recruiting Rankings 2012", Scout.com
  14. ^ "Toughest Schedule. January 20, 2010. NCAA.org" (PDF). Retrieved November 27, 2017.
  15. ^ "2010 Mississippi State Bulldogs Schedule and Results". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved October 30, 2018.
  16. ^ "2011 Mississippi State Bulldogs Schedule and Results". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved October 30, 2018.
  17. ^ "2012 Mississippi State Bulldogs Schedule and Results". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved October 30, 2018.
  18. ^ "2013 Mississippi State Bulldogs Schedule and Results". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved October 30, 2018.
  19. ^ "2014 Mississippi State Bulldogs Schedule and Results". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved October 30, 2018.
  20. ^ Astleford, Andrew. "RECAP: Mississippi State overcomes sluggish start, needs blocked field goal to beat Miami (Ohio) 17–16 in St. Petersburg Bowl". SEC Country. Retrieved December 28, 2016.
  21. ^ "MSU announces 4-year coach extension". HailState.com. 2017. Retrieved February 28, 2017.
  22. ^ Thompson, Edgar. "UF coach Dan Mullen signs his six-year, $36.6 million contract". OrlandoSentinel.com. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
  23. ^ "University of Florida Selects Dan Mullen as Head Football Coach". Florida Gators. Retrieved November 27, 2017.
  24. ^ "Football Class Rankings-ESPN", espn.com
  25. ^ "No. 13 Florida counting on improved defense in opener vs FAU". AP NEWS. September 2, 2021. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
  26. ^ Harvey, Demetrius (December 31, 2020). "Florida's Defensive Players Defend Grantham: 'He Can Only Do His Part'". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved November 29, 2021.
  27. ^ a b Baker, Matt (November 11, 2021). "Florida's 2021 warning signs were flashing in Cotton Bowl blowout". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
  28. ^ Low, Chris (November 21, 2021). "Sources: Mullen out at Florida; Knox interim". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on November 21, 2021. Retrieved November 21, 2021.
  29. ^ "Dan Mullen to work with Georgia HS program, school releases statement". Saturday Down South. May 16, 2022. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  30. ^ "Former Florida head coach Dan Mullen lands new coaching job". On3. May 15, 2022. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  31. ^ GEORGIA HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATION. "Archived copy" (PDF). CONSTITUTION and BY-LAWS 2021-2022. 115 (1): Z49. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 31, 2021. Retrieved May 18, 2022 – via GHSA.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  32. ^ Parker, Cam (December 12, 2024). "Report: Former UF coach Dan Mullen Hired at UNLV". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
  33. ^ "Former Florida Coach Dan Mullen Lands ESPN Job, Sources Say - SI.com". (Sports Illustrated). August 18, 2022.
  34. ^ "Dan Mullen Took His Wife's Breath Away When They First Met". FanBuzz. October 12, 2021. Retrieved December 21, 2024.
  35. ^ Litman, Laken (October 31, 2014). "At home, Dan Mullen is just Dad". The Clarion-Ledger. Retrieved December 21, 2024.
  36. ^ "UF's Mullen lives football". September 20, 2007.
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