Dan Mullen, former Florida football coach, is singing the praises of the new Florida Gators head coach, Jon Sumrall. Mullen, who recently received the Steve Spurrier First Year Coach of the Year award for his impressive 10-4 debut season at UNLV, has crossed paths with Sumrall during his ESPN days from 2022-25.
Reflecting on his time covering Tulane games, Mullen found himself impressed by Sumrall's approach and leadership. "I got to know him through those games," Mullen shared.
"He's sharp and tough, and his teams play with real physicality. They focus on good defense and running the football.
Of course, Coach Spurrier might need to sprinkle in some pass plays to keep those Florida fans happy. They love their points!"
Urban Meyer, Mullen's mentor and former Florida coach, played a role in Sumrall's hiring process. Meyer was particularly struck by Sumrall's emphasis on strength, conditioning, and special teams during his introductory press conference. Mullen echoed this sentiment, noting, "He will bring great physicality to the team, and they've had explosive offenses."
After his stint at Florida, where he held a 34-15 record from 2018-21, Mullen's time away from college football offered him a fresh perspective. This new viewpoint was pivotal in his success at UNLV, where he developed standout quarterback Anthony Colandrea. Colandrea's stellar performance, throwing for 3,459 yards and 23 touchdowns, along with 649 rushing yards and 10 TDs, earned him the Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year.
"When I arrived at UNLV, I had a renewed focus," Mullen explained. "I came in expecting to build from the ground up, with only a couple of coaches and 15 players.
That’s the new norm. We sought out players and coaches who believed in our vision and loved the game.
Our players quickly bought into what we were trying to achieve."
Mullen's journey and insights into Sumrall's potential paint a promising picture for Florida fans eager to see their team thrive under new leadership.