Comparatively Speaking: How Dan Mullen Compares to 2018 Head Coaching Hires
Perhaps coming off of a loss to Georgia, this isn’t the best time to hoo-rah over Coach Mullen.
However, after Willie Taggart’s abrupt departure from Florida State, maybe this is the perfect time to gush over Florida’s football coach.
In no way am I saying Florida fans are ready to oust their second year head coach, but following the Gators loss to the Bulldogs on Saturday, parts of Gator Nation are getting uneasy. And I get it.
The Gators haven’t left Jacksonville with a win in three years and the SEC-showdown on the St. Johns River is undoubtedly a game Gators expect to win every year. No ifs, ands, or buts.
But maybe holding to Dan Mullen in his second year to these lofty expectations is a bit unfair. I know, I know, he harps on the Gator Standard and the Gator Standard means, without a doubt, beating the Georgia Bulldogs. But sometimes it’s important to take a step back and look around you. And that step back needs to happen now if you’re a Gator fan.
In year two of a coach being at a football program, there’s supposed to be a jump in production. Now, an argument can be made that such a jump hasn’t happened in Gainesville. And to be blunt, that argument isn't it, chief.
Take a look around the country at schools like UCLA, Arkansas, Nebraska and Florida State.
Let’s start with Chip Kelly and the Bruins. I’ll admit, I was on the Chip Kelly train when Florida’s coaching search was going on. I thought Kelly was the splash hire that the Gators needed – but more so, Kelly was the only offensive mastermind that could reverse the corruption of the McElwain era. In case you’ve missed it, UCLA went 3-9 in their first year under Kelly and are currently 4-5.
I think it’s safe to say Florida dodged that bullet.
What about Chad Morris with the Hogs? Well, after a 2-10 stint in 2018 and a current record of 2-7 things aren’t going much better in Fayetteville. Or anywhere else for that matter considering the Razorbacks are 0-7 away from home under Morris.
As for Nebraska native Scott Frost, the odds for him to succeed looked great when he took his dream job in 2018. After multiple successful seasons at UCF, where he and the Knights took it upon themselves to claim a National Championship, it was anticipated that the hometown-hero was going to take the Huskers to new heights.
Except… he hasn’t. After an underwhelming 4-8 record last year and the likelihood of a .500 season on the docket this year, the Huskers aren’t exactly partying like it’s the 1990s.
Now, to the elephant in the room. While there’s zero doubt that even the most delusional Gator fans aren’t wishing Willie Taggart was brought into Gainesville, I still feel FSU’s situation should be used as an example.
In year one under Taggart, the Seminoles missed their shot at a post-season bowl after going 5-7. Fast forward to today, and the ‘Noles are treading water once again as the likelihood of missing bowl eligibility looms once more – this time without a head coach. Taggart was fired after his first 21 games on the job.
My point is, sure, UCLA is at least one win better than they were last year, while Arkansas, Nebraska and even a Taggart-less FSU have the opportunity to do the same. But would Florida fans rather be in the shoes of one of those fanbases?
I think not.
Dan Mullen exceeded expectations in his inaugural season at the helm of Florida football. But now, believe it or not, exceeding those expectations so soon has Mullen in – let’s call it lukewarm water.
No one (that is rational, at least) is calling for Mullen’s job, and no one should even be entertaining the idea of ridding him. But following Saturday’s loss, things have heated up a bit.
Whether it be play calling, personnel on the field or his staff on the sidelines, the Florida fanbase is digging for answers. And frankly, there is no right answer. Because there is no question. Just ask your local Seminole fan.
