Dan Mullen

Dan Mullen

When Dan Mullen was hired as the 27th head coach in Florida football history on Nov. 26, 2017, no one knew for sure how long it might take to return the Gators program to the top levels of the college football world.

It turns out, not long at all.

After leading Florida’s program back to national prominence in his first season, Mullen and the Gators took the next step in his second and third seasons at the helm of the program, with an SEC Championship Game appearance highlighting the 2020 campaign.

Registering an 11-2 record in 2019, the Gators finished at No. 6 in the final Associated Press Top 25 Poll, their highest finish in the AP Top 25 since ending the 2009 season at No. 3. The year prior, Mullen led Florida to a 10-3 record and joined Galen Hall (1985) as the first coach in school history to post a top-10 finish in his first full season. The last time Florida logged consecutive top-10 finishes in the AP Top 25 and back-to-back 10-win seasons was 2008 and 2009. In 2020, the No. 7 College Football Playoff ranking was the best in school history.

On the national stage, Mullen became the first head coach in FBS history to win BCS / New Year’s Six bowl games in each of his first two seasons with a program. Florida beat Virginia in the 2019 Capital One Orange Bowl, and routed Michigan in the 2018 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. The appearance in the 2020 Goodyear Cotton Bowl marked just the second time in school history that the Gators have made three-straight New Year’s Six bowl games.
 
Florida’s 10-win season in 2018 also marked the program’s second-largest turnaround (in terms of wins) in school history. Only the 1980 Gators, who went 8-4 following a 0-10-1 campaign in 1979, could top UF’s jump from 4-7 in 2017 to 10-3 in 2018.

One of the key aspects of the turnaround engineered by Mullen is the drastic improvements on offense.
 
The 2020 offense was among the most prolific in the country and program history.
 
The Gators led the nation in passing offense for the second time in program history, as they averaged 378.6 passing yards per game (which also ranks fourth in SEC history). Florida finished the season ranked ninth nationally in total offense (509.8 yards per game), marking its highest national finish since 2009 and the Gators were tied for eighth nationally with an average of 7.28 yards per play, finishing with the third-highest average in program history. Also, Florida’s six games of 500-plus total yards against SEC opponents tied a school record set by the 1995 Gators.

The 2019 season featured the most wins (11) in a season since 2012, and marked the eighth time in program history to reach that mark.

A major component of the quick turnaround has been Mullen’s imprint over Florida’s offense. In two seasons, the team has posted seven games of 500-plus total yards. In 75 games from 2012-17, UF only met that mark six times. 

Taking over an unranked program in 2018, the Gators achieved their second-largest turnaround in school history, in terms of wins. Florida’s six-win turnaround in his inaugural season could only be topped by the 1980 Gators, who went 8-4 following a 0-10-1 campaign in 1979. Additionally, his first season was the second time in school history (1983) UF finished in the AP Poll’s top 10 of after starting the year unranked.

Mullen, who served four seasons (2005-08) as Florida’s offensive coordinator and was a major factor in the program winning two Southeastern Conference and BCS National Titles (2006, 2008), spent nine seasons as Mississippi State’s head coach (2009-17) prior to his return to Gainesville.
 
Mullen, 46, was honored in 2014 as the national college football coach of the year by the Maxwell Football Club. He also won honors as the SEC Coach of the Year that season. His tenure with the Bulldogs saw the program ascend to a No. 1 ranking during regular season polls and he oversaw participation in a school-record eight consecutive bowl games.
 
As the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at UF prior to joining MSU in 2009, Mullen worked a Heisman Trophy, Davey O’Brien and Maxwell Award-winning quarterback, along with a Rimington Trophy finalist and a Biletnikoff Award semifinalist.
 
Player development has been a key to Mullen’s coaching career successes. Thus far, Mullen has had 26 Bulldogs chosen in the NFL Draft.  Dak Prescott became the highest-drafted MSU quarterback in modern NFL Draft history, going in the fourth round in 2016 to the Dallas Cowboys.
 
Prescott joined the following QBs tutored by Mullen, who were selected in the NFL Draft: Josh Harris (Bowling Green), Omar Jacobs (Bowling Green), Alex Smith (Utah) and Tim Tebow (Florida).
 
In the last eight NFL Drafts, the Bulldogs produced seven first- or second-round picks. In the eight drafts prior to Mullen’s arrival, MSU did not have any.
 
MSU shattered over 100 individual and team single-game, single-season and career statistical records in Mullen's nine seasons. Meanwhile, the top seven total offensive seasons' statistical performances in school history all occur in the Mullen era.

Florida (2018-Present)

The 2020 offense was among the most prolific in the country and program history.
 
The Gators led the nation in passing offense for the second time in program history, as they averaged 378.6 passing yards per game (which also ranks fourth in SEC history). Florida finished the season ranked ninth nationally in total offense (509.8 yards per game), marking its highest national finish since 2009 and the Gators were tied for eighth nationally with an average of 7.28 yards per play, finishing with the third-highest average in program history. Also, Florida’s six games of 500-plus total yards against SEC opponents tied a school record set by the 1995 Gators.

Coming off a 10-3 (5-3 SEC) campaign in his first season, Mullen led UF to an overall record of 11-2 (6-2 SEC) in 2019, having posted consecutive 10-win seasons for the first time since 2008 and 2009, which includes back-to-back New Year's Six Bowl victories for the first time since their 2009 BCS National Championship and 2010 Sugar Bowl wins. Then, in 2020, Mullen led the Gators to their first SEC Championships Game appearance since 2016.

After Florida’s offensive success sky-rocketed in his first season as head coach, the Gators continued their uptick in production in 2019 and in 2020, putting together one of the most historic offensive seasons in school history.

SCORING OFFENSE
2020 2019 2018 Best from 2015-17 Best from 2010-14 Best from 2005-09 Best from 2002-04 Best from 1990-2001
Avg. Points / Game 39.8 33.2* 35* 23.9 30.3 43.6 31.8 46.6
FBS Ranking 13th T-28th 22nd T-107th (2016) 56th (2014) 4th (2008) 19th (2004) 1st (1996)
*Best since 35.9 average in 2009.

TOTAL OFFENSE
2020 2019 2018 Best from 2015-17 Best from 2010-14 Best from 2005-09 Best from 2002-04 Best from 1990-2001
Avg. Yards / Game 509.8 430.5* 426.7* 344.0 367.7 457.9 426.9 534.4
FBS Ranking 9th 45th 42nd 116th (2016) 96th (2014) 6th (2009) 22nd (2004) 4th (1995)
*Best since 457.9 in 2009.

SCRIMMAGE TOUCHDOWNS
2020 2019 2018 Best from 2015-17 Best from 2010-14 Best from 2005-09 Best from 2002-04 Best from 1990-2001
Scrimmage TDs 60 54* 51* 39 43 75 49 72
FBS Ranking 5th T-28th T-35th T-77th (2015) T-51st (2010) T-3rd (2008) 16th (2004) 1st (1995)
*Best since 58 in 2009. UF's 5th and 6th seasons of 50+ scrimmage touchdowns since 2002.

PASSING OFFENSE
2020 2019 2018 Best from 2015-17 Best from 2010-14 Best from 2005-09 Best from 2002-04 Best from 1990-2001
Avg. Passing Yds / Game 378.6 300.8 213.5 215.8 185.7 257 271.1 405.2
FBS Ranking 1st 16th 83rd 79th (2016) 89th (2011) 38th (2007) 14th (2004) 1st (2001)
2019 - 9th season in school history averaging 300+ passing yards per game (2001, 2000, 1998, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1991 -- counts bowl results).

PASSING TOUCHDOWNS
2020 2019 2018 Best from 2015-17 Best from 2010-14 Best from 2005-09 Best from 2002-04 Best from 1990-2001
Passing TDs 46 33* 28 20 18 33 29 48
FBS Ranking 1st T-15th T-23rd 61st (2015) T-74th (2014) T-12th (2008) T-9th (2004) 1st (1995)
*Most since 2008. There were no seasons from 2010-17 with over 20 passing TDs.

RUSHING OFFENSE
2020 2019 2018 Best from 2015-17 Best from 2010-14 Best from 2005-09 Best from 2002-04 Best from 1990-2001
Avg. Rushing Yds / Game 131.25 129.8 213.3* 156.4 188.1 231.1 155.58 173.5
FBS Ranking 96th 107th 27th 75th (2017) 39th (2012) 2nd (2008) 22nd (2004) 1st (1995)
*10th most in UF history and the best since 221.8 in 2009.

Season-by-season breakdown
(2020)
The Gators' offense posted one of the most memorable seasons in recent memory in 2020.

Having led the Gators back to national prominence his first two seasons, Mullen took the next step with Florida's first SEC Championship Game appearance 2016.

In addition to the conference championship game, the Gators saw a Heisman Throphy finalist in Kyle Trask and the highest-drafted tight end in NFL history in Mackey Award winner Kyle Pitts in 2020. Trask finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting, joining him with Steve Spurrier, Danny Wuerffel, Rex Grossman, and Tim Tebow as the only top-four Heisman finishers in school history.

Meanwhile Pitts, who became the second SEC player to win the Mackey Award, finished 10th in the Heisman Trophy voting to become the first tight end to finish in the top 10 of the voting since Notre Dame’s Ken MacAfee in 1977.

Florida finished the 2020 season ranked ninth nationally in total offense (509.8 yards per game), marking its highest national finish since 2009, when it finished sixth with an average of 457.9 total yards per game.

(2019)
Mullen and the Gators improved in his second season, posting an overall record of 11-2 (6-2 SEC) in 2019, the first consecutive 10-win seasons since 2008 and 2009. The Gators would wrap up their 2019 campaign with the CapitalOne Orange Bowl victory over Virginia, the first coach in FBS history to win New Year Six bowls in his first two seasons, as well as the Gators first back-to-back NY6 bowl victories since their 2009 BCS National Championship and 2010 Sugar Bowl wins.

UF finished 16th nationally in passing offense (300.8 yards per game), which is the first time in nearly two decades it has thrown the ball that consistently. UF’s highest national finish in passing offense since the start of 2010 is 79th (in 2016), and it finished outside the top 100 in four of the nine seasons from 2010-18.

While the Gator defense was keeping opponents out of the end zone, the offense was doing its part by getting across the goal line, totaling 53 scrimmage touchdowns throughout the season, the sixth-season of 50+ scrimmage touchdowns and the most since 58 in 2009.

An important variable in their success was the ability to spread the ball around to different playmakers. Florida was the only FBS teams featuring eight pass catchers with 20-plus receptions, 250-plus yards, and a touchdown. Seven Gators have multiple touchdown receptions this season, marking the first time since 2007 that many Gators had at least two touchdown receptions in a season.

Three Gators – Van Jefferson, Lamical Perine, Pitts -- had 40-plus receptions in a season for the first time since 2001, while Four Gators -- Jefferson, Perine, Pitts, Freddie Swain -- finished with at least five receiving touchdowns for the first time since 2008.

UF had nine different players finish with 150-plus receiving yards, something no Gators team achieved since at least 1990. The 1992 Gators were the only team in that span to have eight reach 150 yards.

The Gators had eight 300-yard passing games in a season for the first time since 2001 (all 12 games) and for the third time since the start of 1997, as UF also had nine 300-yard games in 1998.

Florida had 250-plus passing yards in its first seven games this year, marking its longest streak of 250-yard outings since a 14-game stretch spanning the final game of 2000, all 12 games of 2001, and the 2002 opener.

The Gators became one of seven teams to be a top 30 rushing team in 2018 and a top 30 passing team in 2019. In Mullen’s first season a year ago, UF finished ranked 27th in the FBS with 213.3 rushing yards per game. UF also threw for 300 yards against five SEC foes, marking the first time it did that since 2001 (eight times).

Florida threw four touchdown passes in three different games (4 apiece at LSU, at South Carolina, vs. Florida State) for the first time since 2001, when it did it in eight games. Prior to this season, Florida had not thrown four touchdown passes in a road game since Oct. 20, 2007, when it had four at No. 8 Kentucky.

Florida amassed 410 passing yards in a rout of Vanderbilt this season, marking its third 400-yard passing game since the start of the 2003 season (482 - 2010 Sugar Bowl vs. Cincinnati; 433 - UCF, Sept 9, 2006; 410 vs. Vandy) and the first time meeting that mark against an SEC opponent since Nov. 3, 2001 -- when it had 403 against Vandy.

In the season-opening against in-state rival Miami, the Gators tallied 10 sacks, the most by a UF defense since at least 1996.

To begin the 2019 season opener, quarterback Feleipe Franks completed 15 straight passes, the second-most to start a game by a Florida QB in program history.

Later in the season, Trask would complete 18 straight passes over two games (three against Tennessee and first 15 against Towson) to complete the most passes in a row in program history. He equaled the 15 straight completions to start a game that his predecessor, Feleipe Franks. The 15 was the second-most in school history, behind the 17 in a row from Leak 14 years ago.

After filling in for the injured Franks in the fourth quarter against Kentucky, Kyle Trask threw 25 touchdowns this year, making him one of 27 FBS quarterbacks with at least 25 in 2019 -- but his 354 attempts were tied for the fifth-fewest in that group. Additionally, Trask ranked 15th nationally in passer rating (156.09), becoming the first Gator to finish inside the top 35 since Tim Tebow in 2009. His passer rating sits as the ninth-highest in school history.

Trask threw for 300-plus yards four times this year, finishing with a career-high 363 yards against Vanderbilt, 343 yards against Florida State, 310 yards at then-No. 5 LSU, and capped the season with 305 yards against No.24 Virginia in the Orange Bowl.

He was able to perform against the toughest of teams on Florida’s schedule, becoming just the third Gator to throw for three touchdowns on the road against an AP Top-10 team after tossing a trio of TD passes against No. 5 LSU this season.

Perine finished as one of only two FBS backs to finish 2019 with: 40-plus catches, 125-plus carries, five rushing AND receiving touchdowns, 675-plus rushing yards, and 250-plus receiving yards.

Perine finished his career ranked ninth in school history in career rushing and receiving yardage, as he totaled 3,159 yards (2,485 rushing, 674 receiving) in his four seasons. The only Gators to finish with over 2,000 rushing yards and 600 receiving yards are: Perine, Errict Rhett, Fred Taylor, John L. Williams, Chris Rainey, Elijah Williams, and Larry Smith.

Kyle Pitts was used by Mullen as a playmaker all over the field, becoming one of nine tight ends since 2015 to amass over 50 catches, 625-plus yards and five touchdowns in a season. Only one other Gator has posted such a season since 2009.

2018
Mullen, who led UF to a 10-3 record (5-3 SEC), became the sixth FBS head coach to take a team to a New Year’s Six bowl game in his first season since the CFP was introduced in 2014. Moreover, he became the fourth such head coach to win the NY6 bowl.
 
Also, Mullen became the third head coach in history to win 10 games in a debut season with a current Power Five program after inheriting a team that won less than five games the year prior. Meanwhile, Florida is one of five FBS teams that finished under .500 last year and won 10 games this season.
 
As evident to the points scored each week during the season, Florida’s offense made a litany of improvements in 2018 and ais on track to return to its output from Mullen’s days as Gators offensive coordinator.
 
Scoring Offense - 35.0 points per game (22nd in FBS), best since 35.9 in 2009
Best from 2010-17:  30.3 (2014 -56th);  29.8 (2010 - 43rd);  26.5 (2012 - 78th);  25.5 (2011 - 71st)
Highs Since 2002:  43.6 (‘08 - 4th); 42.5 (‘07 - 3rd); 35.9 (‘09 - 10th); 35.0 (2018); 31.8 (‘04 - 19th)
 
Total Offense - 426.7 yards per game (42nd in FBS), best since 457.9 in 2009
Best Averages from 2010-17:  367.7 (2014 - 96th);  350.8 (2010 - 83rd);  344.0 (2016 - 116th)
Highs Since 2005:  457.9 (‘09 - 6th);  457.2 (‘07 - 14th);  445.1 (‘08 - 15th);  426.7 (2018); 396.1 (‘06 - 19th)
 
Rushing Offense - 213.2 yards per game (27th in FBS; 10th in school history), best since 221.8 in 2009
Best from 2010-17:  188.1 (2012 - 39th);  187.7 (2014 - 43rd);  166.5 (2010 - 44th)
Highs Since 1990:  231.1 (‘08 - 10th);  221.8 (‘09 - 10th);  213.2 (2018);  200.2 (‘07 - 24th)
 
Rushing Average - 5.3 yards per carry (t-18th in FBS; t-4th in school history), best since 5.6 in 2009
Best from 2010-17:  4.5 (2012 - t-50th);  4.4 (2014 - t-61st);  4.3 (2017 - 67th);  4.3 (2010 - 57th)
Previous Three Seasons:  4.3 (2017 - t-67th);  3.69 (2016 - 106th);  3.48 (2015 - t-119th)
School Records:  5.9 (‘08);  5.9 (‘76);  5.6 (‘09);  5.3 (2018);  5.3 (‘07);  5.1 (‘95);  5.1 (‘75)
 
Touchdown-Interception Ratio - 4.67 [28 TDs to 6 INTs] (t-9th in FBS), best since 5.60 [28 to 5] in 2009
Best from 2010-17:  215.8 (2016 - 79th);  207.1 (2015 - t-86th);  185.7 (2011 - 89th)
Highs Since 1996:  6.60 [33-5] (2008 - 2nd);  5.60 [28-5] (2009 - 3rd);  5.33 [32-6] (2007 - 1st); 4.67 [28-6] (2018);  3.31 [43-13] (2001 - 8th)
 
Passing Touchdowns - 28 (t-23rd in FBS), first season with more than 20 since throwing 28 in 2009
Best from 2010-17:  20 (2015 - t-61st); 18 (2016 - t-76th); 18 (2014 - t-72nd); 13 (twice - 2011, 2012)
Highs Since 2005:  33 (2008);  32 (2007);  29 (2006);  28 (2018);  28 (2009);  20 (2005)
 
Scrimmage Touchdowns - 51 (t-35th in FBS), most since 58 in 2009; fifth season of 50-plus since 2002
Best from 2010-17:  43 (2010 - t-51st);  40 (2014 - t-78th);  39 (2015 - t-77th);  35 (2012 - t-82nd)
 
Sacks Allowed - 18 total sacks allowed (t-20th in FBS), second time under 20 since start of 2009 season
Previous Four Seasons:  37 (2017 - 118th);  28 (2016 - 71st);  45 (2015 - 128th);  17 (2014 - t-22nd)
 
Rushing Offense (SEC play) - 200.5 (2nd in SEC), fourth 200-yard average since 1996, first since 2014
Highs Since 1996:  223.8 (2008 - 1st);  205.8 (2009 - 2nd to Mullen’s MSU);  201.0 (2014 - 4th)
 
Total Offense (SEC play) - 399.6 (6th in SEC), highest since averaging 429.4 in 2008
Highs Since 2002:  436.5 (2007 - 1st);  429.8 (2008 - 1st);  428.8 (2004 - 1st);  399.6 (2018)
 
Florida’s offensive turnaround under Mullen does not appear to be an anomaly, especially considering what happened his first year in Starkville. At Mississippi State, Mullen inherited the 114th-ranked total offense (276.0 yards per game) and 106th-ranked rushing offense (101.7), but the Bulldogs finished the 2009 season ranked 69th in total offense (367.7) and 9th in rushing offense (224.58).
 
Here is a look at Florida’s massive (and similar) leap in the rankings under Mullen:
 
Category  2017 2018 Change
TD - INT Ratio  1.00 (T-111th) 4.67 (T-9th) +102
Scoring Offense  22.1 (T-108th) 35.0 (22nd) +86
Scrimmage TDs  25 (T-120th) 51 (T-35th) +85
Passing Efficiency  113.11 (113th) 145.76 (35th) +78
Total Offense  335.9 (110th) 426.7 (42nd) +68
3rd Down Pct.  32.5% (117th) 41.6% (48th) +69
Rushing Offense  156.4 (75th) 213.2 (27th) +48
Sacks Allowed  3.36 (124th) 1.39 (T-21st) +103
 
The Gators finished in the top 100 in scoring offense for the first time since 2014. They had not finished higher than 96th in total offense since 2010 (when they were 83rd) and their only passing offense to rank higher than 85th following the 2009 season checked in at 79th (2016).
 
The Gators posted their most games of 500-plus total yards (four), 400-plus total yards (six) and 350-plus total yards (10) since 2009, when they did it five, six, and 10 times, respectively.
 
One of Mullen’s points of emphasis has been rotation at various positions throughout the game--especially at running back--with the result being a fresher team in the fourth quarter. Florida averaged 6.23 yards per carry (884 on 141 carries) in the fourth quarter, which ranked 8th in the FBS and led the SEC.
 
In its comeback win over South Carolina, Florida tallied 161 rushing yards on 23 carries (7.0 yards per carry) in the fourth quarter, resulting in a pair of touchdowns.
 
Eleven different Gators caught a touchdown pass this season, marking the first time since 2009 at least that many Gators had a touchdown reception. All UF pass catchers combined for 10 touchdown receptions in 2017. Meanwhile, Van Jefferson’s six touchdown receptions tied Solomon Patton (2013) for the third-highest season total by a Gator since 2009. Riley Cooper (9 in 2009) and Demarcus Robinson (7 in 2014) are the only others with six.
 
Florida’s tempo increased in Mullen’s offense as well, and the evidence is in their touchdown drives. Florida had 32 touchdown drives under three minutes this season, its highest total since posting 40 in 2009. UF combined for 27 sub-three-minute touchdown drives the past two seasons, and it only had 22 in 2015.
 
Florida finished the 2018 strong by winning its last three games by 26-plus points each, respectively. The last time it won three games by at least 25 points was an eight-game stretch from Oct. 4-Nov. 29, 2008. UF also scored 40-plus points in each of its final three games, marking the first time they scored 40-plus points in three consecutive games since a seven-game stretch from Oct. 11-Nov. 29, 2008.
 
UF totaled 400-plus yards in all of its last four games, marking the first time since Nov. 8-29, 2008 it had such a streak. Overall, Florida logged four 250-yard rushing games and three 275-yard rushing games for the first time since 2009 (four of each), and its nine 200-yard rushing performances tied the 1984 Gators and 2009 Gators for the most 200-yard games in a season since at least 1981. From 2015-17, UF combined for eight 200-yard games.
 
Three different Gators—Feleipe Franks, Lamical Perine, Jordan Scarlett--finished with five-plus rushing touchdowns for the first time since 2010, when Trey Burton (11), Mike Gillislee (7) and Jordan Reed (5) all did it.
 
From a quarterback standpoint, Franks was also one of 12 FBS quarterbacks to throw more than 20 touchdowns and less than seven interceptions in 2018. Overall, he finished the season with 31 touchdowns accounted for (24 passing / 7 rushing), which is tied with Chris Leak’s 2004 season for the seventh-highest single-season total in school history.
 
Mississippi State (2009-17)
On Dec. 10, 2008, Mullen became the 32nd head coach in MSU history as he took over a program that posted a 32-65 record in the eight years prior to his arrival. Mullen (69-46, .600) finished the 2017 season second in Bulldog history in all-time wins.
 
In addition, his .600 winning percentage ranked second in MSU annals among those who have coached six or more years.
 
MSU ranks second in victories since 2014 (33) in the SEC West, one of college football’s toughest divisions, which has produced a national title game finalist in 10 of the last 11 years.
 
Mullen produced three seasons of at least nine victories in the last nine years, including the school’s first back-to-back nine-win seasons in 2014 and 2015. The program has had four nine-win seasons in its 109 years.
 
The Bulldogs have the opportunity to reach the nine-win plateau again with their upcoming bowl game.
 
Bowl games became the norm at State under Mullen’s guidance. Prior to his arrival, the school record for consecutive bowl game appearances was three from 1998-2000. MSU is currently on a stretch of a school-record eight straight bowl appearances with its most recent triumph coming against Miami (Ohio) in the 2016 St. Petersburg Bowl. No other coach has been to more bowl games (seven) or won more bowl games (five) at MSU than Mullen. The Bulldogs are one of five SEC teams to earn a bowl berth every season this decade, and MSU is second in the league in bowl game wins (five) since 2010.
 
Only six teams have held the No. 1 ranking since the start of the 2014 season – Alabama, Clemson, Florida State, Georgia, Ohio State and Mississippi State.
 
No coach in MSU history had ever been a finalist for a national coach of the year honor until Mullen won the Maxwell Football Club’s National Coach of the Year award in 2014. He also was named the Associated Press SEC Coach of the Year award that same fall.
 
In addition from 2010-18, Mississippi State had 26 players drafted (including four in 2018). In the previous nine drafts, the Bulldogs had only 13 players drafted. The four players chosen out of Mississippi State this year averaged a 2.5-star ranking (based on 247Sports composite rankings). Of the 12 schools with more players drafted this year than the Bulldogs, only one had a lower star rating than that.
 
Mississippi State Year-By-Year Breakdown
2017
Mississippi State finished 4-4 in league play after being predicted to finish sixth in the SEC West.

MSU was the only team with two or more players in the top six in the SEC in rushing (QB Nick Fitzgerald and Williams 6th)

Mullen was a semifinalist for the Maxwell Football George Munger Coach of the Year.

2016
After Prescott was drafted in the NFL by Dallas, quarterback Nick Fitzgerald set nine school records in his first year as a starter. A former three-star recruit offered by only one "Power 5" school (MSU), Fitzgerald shattered single-season league records for 100-yard rushing games by a quarterback (8) and average yards per rush by a quarterback (7.1). His top target, Fred Ross, became the first wide receiver in school history to earn first-team All-SEC honors in back-to-back seasons. Ross joined the NFL's Carolina Panthers in the spring of 2017.

2015
Mississippi State celebrated a nine-win season highlighted by four road victories, a first since 1994.

Mullen’s offense was led by senior Dak Prescott and Ross. For the first time since 1978, MSU produced a first-team All-SEC quarterback and wide receiver in the same season. Ross became the first Bulldog to lead the SEC in receptions per game since 1978, setting a single-season record for catches with 88.

Prescott came to the program as a three-star recruit but ended his college career with 38 school records. He became one of only four players in FBS history to throw for over 9,000 yards and rush for over 2,500 yards in a career. Only two players in SEC history have achieved the feat -- the other is Tim Tebow, who also worked with Mullen.

2014
This season was arguably the best in program history as Mullen’s group won 10 regular season games for the first time and 10 overall for just the third time. The Bulldogs claimed six SEC wins -- the most by MSU since 1999 -- while finishing second in the SEC West.

Mullen developed a team that went from unranked to No. 1 quicker than any in college football history (five weeks; Ohio State made the move in six weeks in 1964). The Bulldogs entered Sept. 20 at No. 8 LSU just outside the polls. Led by Prescott, MSU recorded its first victory in Tiger Stadium since 1991.

The Bulldogs were the nation’s No. 1 team for the first time in 80 years of Associated Press polls following wins over No. 6 Texas A&M and No. 2 Auburn during a raucous stretch in Davis Wade Stadium. MSU became the first team since Auburn in 1983 to defeat three consecutive top-10 ranked teams. The Bulldogs also became the first squad to hold the No. 1 ranking in the inaugural College Football Playoff poll.

The year was capped with a berth in the Orange Bowl for the first time since 1941. Mullen’s squad rewrote the MSU record books in 2014, shattering 22 single-season records, including 10 by National Player of the Year finalist Prescott. The Bulldogs led the SEC in total offense for the first time since 1982, putting up a school-record 513.8 yards per game. State earned its highest Associated Press poll finish since 1940 (No. 11), and tied its highest finish ever in the USA Today Amway Coaches poll (No. 12). Prescott finished higher in the Heisman Trophy vote than any MSU player by taking eighth in December 2014.

2009-2013
Mullen ignited the Bulldogs to a nine-win season in just his second year, 2010, and recorded 38 wins in his first five seasons. Mullen's work during this period led to the successes of

2014.
His tenure in Starkville began with a 5-7 season, the only one in which Mullen's Bulldogs did not reach only campaign that Mullen did not reach a bowl game.
 
Florida (2005-08)
As the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at the University of Florida for four seasons prior to MSU, Mullen molded a Heisman Trophy, Davey O’Brien and Maxwell Award-winning quarterback, along with a Rimington Trophy finalist and a Biletnikoff Award semifinalist.
 
In 2008, Mullen’s offensive attack ranked third nationally in scoring – averaging better than 45 points per game as the Gators scored at least 30 points in 12-of-13 games. The 587 points scored eclipsed the previous Florida mark, set in 1996.
 
Florida rushed for a school-record 41 touchdowns that season and UF’s 80 rushing touchdowns over two seasons ranked second nationally. Overall, Florida’s rushing yardage of 2,987 ranked ninth nationally in 2008 and was the third-highest total in school history.
 
Seven offensive players were recognized as All-SEC selections following the season in which Mullen helped UF claim its second SEC Championship and a chance to play for its second national championship in three seasons.
 
The Gator offense ranked first in the SEC in scoring offense and total offense for a second-straight season in 2008, averaging 45.2 points and 442.4 yards per game. In 2007, UF averaged 42.5 points and 457.2 yards.
 
In 2007, Mullen directed the Gator offense to the third-highest point total ever by a UF unit and the top single-season marks for rushing touchdowns and third-down conversion percentage. Florida’s offense scored 75 touchdowns, second most in the SEC.
 
Mullen orchestrated a UF attack that was the only one in the nation to have rushed for a touchdown and passed for a touchdown in every game during the season. He also helped UF score on 83-of-152 drives in 2007 for a league-best 54.6 percent, marking the best number since that statistic was tracked by the SEC in 2000. Florida additionally averaged 7.0 yards per play that year, the fourth-best total in the nation. Also, the Gators averaged 5.3 yards per rush, the second-best performance in school history.
 
In 2007, Mullen helped coach sophomore quarterback Tim Tebow into a Heisman Trophy, Maxwell and Davey O’Brien award winner, the 78th Sullivan Award winner and AP First-Team All-American among other honors.
 
He also tutored six offensive players to the All-SEC team: Tebow, NFL Pro Bowler Percy Harvin, Cornelius Ingram, Brandon James, Jim Tartt and Drew Miller.
 
Mullen played an integral role in Florida’s 2006 national championship, overseeing an offense that averaged 29.7 points and 396.1 yards per game. In the BCS National Championship Game, he engineered an attack that produced 41 points against a top-ranked Ohio State squad that was limiting opponents to less than 11 points per game. Under Mullen’s tutelage, quarterback Chris Leak opened the contest by going 9-for-9 for 99 yards and a touchdown en route to earning Offensive MVP honors.
 
The 2006 Gator offense posted 76 plays of 20 yards or more, 19 of which went for touchdowns. Florida passed for 29 touchdowns in 2006, while Leak ranked among the national leaders with 23 scoring throws. Tebow matched UF’s then single-season record for rushing touchdowns by a quarterback with eight scores, and his 5.3 yards per carry average placed second nationally among quarterbacks. Six different players averaged at least 5.0 yards per carry.
 
In 2005, Chad Jackson played his way to Biletnikoff Award semifinalist status after matching the UF single-season record with 88 receptions, a figure that led the SEC and finished sixth nationally. Center Mike Degory was also named a finalist for the Rimington Trophy, given annually to the nation’s top center, during that campaign. Both earned first-team All-SEC honors.
 
Utah (2003-04)
Mullen came to Florida from Utah with head coach Urban Meyer, with whom he had spent 10 seasons. While the quarterbacks coach at Utah, Mullen helped developed current NFL standout Alex Smith – the first overall selection in the 2005 NFL Draft. Smith's skills expanded from his work as a pocket passer into executing a spread offense, making him one of the most versatile threats in college football. Smith took over the starting job three games into Mullen’s tenure, passing for 2,247 yards and running for 452 to finish second in the Mountain West in total offense in 2003.
 
The 2004 campaign saw Smith earn National Player of the Year honors from The Sporting News and Sports Illustrated, while also becoming Utah’s first-ever Heisman Trophy finalist. Smith also garnered final consideration for the Davey O’Brien and Walter Camp National Player of the Year Awards. Smith passed for 2,952 yards and 32 touchdowns and ran for 631 yards and 10 scores on the year, ranking second in the nation with a 176.5 efficiency rating and leading the Utes to a perfect 12-0 season and a Fiesta Bowl championship. As a team, Utah finished the 2004 season third in the nation in scoring offense (45.3) and total offense (499.8).
 
Bowling Green (2001-02)
Prior to his time at Utah, Mullen served as quarterbacks’ coach at Bowling Green for two seasons, helping the Falcons record 6,627 yards of total offense with 81 touchdowns during that span. In 2002, quarterback Josh Harris threw for 2,425 yards, ran for 737 yards and completed the campaign as the nation’s third-leading scorer.
 
Mullen spent two years before his time at Bowling Green as a graduate assistant at Notre Dame, and before that assisted with Syracuse’s 1998 Big East championship and Orange Bowl run.
 
Background
Mullen was born April 27, 1972, in Manchester, N.H. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Sport Science from Ursinus College in 1994 and a master's in Education from Wagner College in 1996. A two-year starter at tight end for Ursinus College in Collegeville, Pa., Mullen earned first-team All-Centennial Conference honors as a senior.
 
He is married to the former Megan West, and the couple has two children, son Canon and daughter Breelyn.

 
COACHING HISTORY
Seasons School/Team Title/Position Coached
2018-Present Florida Head Coach
2009-17 Mississippi State Head Coach
2005-08 Florida Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks
2003-04 Utah Quarterbacks
2001-02 Bowling Green Quarterbacks
1999-2000 Notre Dame Graduate Assistant (Offense)
1998 Syracuse Graduate Assistant (Offense)
1996-97 Columbia Wide Receivers
1994-95 Wagner Wide Receivers
 
HEAD COACHING RECORD
Season School/Team Overall Record Conference Record
2020 Florida 8-4 8-2 (SEC)
2019 Florida 11-2 6-2 (SEC)
2018 Florida 10-3 5-3 (SEC)
2017 Mississippi State 8-4 4-4 (SEC)
2016 Mississippi State 6-7 3-5 (SEC)
2015 Mississippi State 9-4 4-4 (SEC)
2014 Mississippi State 10-3 6-2 (SEC)
2013 Mississippi State 7-6 3-5 (SEC)
2012 Mississippi State 8-5 4-4 (SEC)
2011 Mississippi State 7-6 2-6 (SEC)
2010 Mississippi State 9-4 4-4 (SEC)
2009 Mississippi State 5-7 3-5 (SEC)
12 Years 2 Organizations 98-55 Overall
29-9 at UF
69-46 at MSU		 52-46 Overall
19-7 at UF
33-39 at MSU
 
POSTSEASON HISTORY
Season Bowl Game Opponent Result
2020 Goodyear Cotton Bowl Oklahoma L, 55-20
2020 SEC Championship Game Alabama L, 52-46
2019 Capital One Orange Bowl (Florida) Virginia W, 36-28
2018 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl (Florida) Michigan W, 41-15
2016 St. Petersburg Bowl (Mississippi State) Miami (OH) W, 17-16
2015 Belk Bowl (Mississippi State) NC State W, 51-28
2014 Orange Bowl (Mississippi State) Georgia Tech L, 49-34
2013 Liberty Bowl (Mississippi State) Rice W, 44-7
2013 Gator Bowl (Mississippi State) Northwestern L, 34-20
2011 Music City Bowl (Mississippi State) Wake Forest W, 23-17
2011 Gator Bowl (Mississippi State) Michigan W, 52-14
 
NFL DRAFTED PLAYERS COACHED BY MULLEN 
Player, School, Pos. Round, Year, Team
Kyle Pitts, UF, TE 1st Round of 2021 NFL Draft (Atlanta)
Kadarius Toney, UF, WR 1st Round of 2021 NFL Draft (New York Giants)
Kyle Trask, UF, QB 2nd Round of the 2021 NFL Draft (Tampa Bay)
Marco Wilson, UF, DB 4th Round of the 2021 NFL Draft (Arizona)
Evan McPherson, UF, K 5th Round of the 2021 NFL Draft (Cincinnati)
Shawn Davis, UF, DB 5th Round of the 2021 NFL Draft (Cincinnati)
Tedarrell Slaton, UF, DT 5th Round of 2021 NFL Draft (Green Bay)
Stone Forsythe, UF, OT 6th Round of 2021 NFL Draft (Seattle)
CJ Henderson, UF, DB 1st Round of 2020 NFL Draft (Jacksonville)
Van Jefferson, UF, WR  2nd Round of 2020 NFL Draft (Los Angeles Rams)
Jabari Zuniga, UF, DE                3rd Round of 2020 NFL Draft (New York Jets)
Jonathan Greenard, UF, LB     4th Round of 2020 NFL Draft (Houston)
LaMical Perine, UF, RB         4th Round of 2020 NFL Draft (New York Jets)
Freddie Swain, UF, WR        6th Round of 2020 NFL Draft (Seattle)
Tyrie Cleveland, UF, WR           7th Round of 2020 NFL Draft (Denver)
Jeffery Simmons, MSU, DT       1st Round of 2019 NFL Draft (Tennessee)
Montez Sweat, MSU, DE          1st Round of 2019 NFL Draft (Washington)
Johnathan Abram, MSU, S    1st Round of 2019 NFL Draft (Oakland)
Jawaan Taylor, UF, OT         2nd Round of 2019 NFL Draft (Jacksonville)
Elgton Jenkins, MSU, C      2nd Round of 2019 NFL Draft (Green Bay)
Jachai Polite, UF, DE          3rd Round of 2019 NFL Draft (New York Jets
Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, UF, DB  4th Round of 2019 NFL Draft (New Orleans)
Vosean Joseph, UF, LB  5th Round of 2019 NFL Draft (Buffalo)
Jordan Scarlett, UF, RB   5th Round of 2019 NFL Draft (Carolina)
Gerri Green, MSU, DE    6th Round of 2019 NFL Draft (Indianapolis)
Elgton Jenkins, MSU, C    2nd Round of 2019 NFL Draft (Green Bay)
Martinas Rankin, MSU, OT  3rd Round of 2018 NFL Draft (Houston)
Jordan Thomas, MSU, TE  6th Round of 2018 NFL Draft (Houston)
Hunter Bradley, MSU, LS    7th Round of 2018 NFL Draft (Green Bay)
Logan Cooke, MSU, P        7th Round of 2018 NFL Draft (Jacksonville)
Justin Senior, MSU, OL       6th Round of 2017 NFL Draft (Seattle)
Chris Jones, MSU, DE         2nd Round of 2016 NFL Draft (Kansas City)
Will Redmond, MSU, CB     3rd Round of 2016 NFL Draft (San Francisco)
Dak Prescott, MSU, QB       4th Round of 2016 NFL Draft (Dallas)
Preston Smith, MSU, DE       2nd Round of 2015 NFL Draft (Washington)
Benardrick McKinney, MSU, LB 2nd Round of 2015 NFL Draft (Houston)
Matthew Wells, MSU, LB        6th Round of 2015 NFL Draft (New England)
Malcolm Johnson, MSU, TE   6th Round of 2015 NFL Draft (Cleveland)
Josh Robinson, MSU, RB     6th Round of 2015 NFL Draft (Indianapolis)
Gabe Jackson, MSU, OG     3rd Round of 2014 NFL Draft (Oakland)
Darius Slay, MSU, CB         2nd Round of 2013 NFL Draft (Detroit)
Jonathan Banks, MSU, CB       2nd Round of 2013 NFL Draft (Tampa Bay)
Josh Boyd, MSU, DT        6th Round of 2013 NFL Draft (Green Bay)
Fletcher Cox, MSU, DT      1st  Round of 2012 NFL Draft (Philadelphia)
Vick Ballard, MSU, RB       5th Round of 2012 NFL Draft (Indianapolis)
Charles Mitchell, MSU, S      6th Round of 2012 NFL Draft (Atlanta)
Mike Pouncey, Florida, C    1st Round of 2011 NFL Draft (Miami)
Derek Sherrod, MSU, OT   1st Round of 2011 NFL Draft (Green Bay)
Marcus Gilbert, Florida, OT   2nd Round of 2011 NFL Draft (Pittsburgh)
K.J.  Wright, MSU, LB    4th Round of 2011 NFL Draft (Seattle)
Pernell McPhee, MSU, DE     5th Round of 2011 NFL Draft (Baltimore)
Chris White, MSU, LB         6th Round of 2011 NFL Draft (Buffalo)
Maurice Hurt, Florida, OT  7th Round of 2011 NFL Draft (Washington)
Maurkice Pouncey, Florida, C    1st Round of 2010 NFL Draft (Pittsburgh)
Tim Tebow, Florida, QB         1st Round of 2010 NFL Draft (Denver)
Riley Cooper, Florida, WR    5th Round of 2010 NFL Draft (Philadelphia)
Anthony Dixon, Florida, RB   6th Round of 2010 NFL Draft (San Francisco)
Jamar Chaney, MSU, LB     7th Round of 2010 NFL Draft (Philadelphia)
Percy Harvin, Florida, WR    1st Round of 2009 NFL Draft (Minnesota)
Louis Murphy, Florida, WR   4th Round of 2009 NFL Draft (Oakland)
Cornelius Ingram, Florida, TE   5th Round of 2009 NFL Draft (Philadelphia)
Andre Caldwell, Florida, WR   3rd Round of 2008 NFL Draft (Cincinnati)
Dallas Baker, Florida, WR      7th Round of 2007 NFL Draft (Pittsburgh)
DeShawn Wynn, Florida, RB     7th Round of 2007 NFL Draft (Green Bay)
Chad Jackson, Florida, WR       2nd Round of 2006 NFL Draft (New England)
Alex Smith, Utah, QB        1st Round of 2005 NFL Draft (San Francisco)
Chris Kemoeatu, Utah, OG    6th Round of 2005 NFL Draft (Pittsburgh)
Paris Warren, Utah, WR        7th Round of 2005 NFL Draft (Tampa Bay)
Josh Harris, BGSU, QB         6th Round of 2004 NFL Draft (Baltimore)

Quotes of Note Following Announcement of Hiring:
Head Coach Dan Mullen:
“Megan and I are very excited to get back to Gainesville and the University of Florida. I have such great memories of the championships we won during our time here and have a love for Florida. We are happy to be coming back to such a supportive administration, staff, student body and fan base, which is the premier football program in the country. We will give relentless effort in everything that we do on and off the field. Our commitment will match the passion that the Gator Nation has for this program.”
 
Athletics Director Scott Stricklin:
“I strongly believe Dan is the most prepared candidate to have immediate and long-term success at the University of Florida. Coach Mullen is one of the best offensive minds in all of college football, and has an unbelievable track record in tutoring successful quarterbacks (such as Alex Smith, Chris Leak, Tim Tebow, Dak Prescott and Nick Fitzgerald). Coach Mullen will do a tremendous job in developing accountability and toughness through a well-coordinated strength and conditioning program. Dan will work closely with the coaching staff, academic advising staff and administrative team to give every student athlete he coaches the opportunity to grow and excel at a high level athletically, academically and socially.”
 
University of Florida President Dr. W. Kent Fuchs:
“I’m pleased with the approach and process that Scott Stricklin and his staff had in place for this search that landed us the best candidate to move our football program forward nationally. Coach Mullen has a very successful track record at Florida and the SEC, which includes his ability to develop student-athletes on and off the field at the highest level.”
 
1966 Heisman Trophy Winner & UAA Ambassador Steve Spurrier:
“The Gators are thrilled that Dan Mullen has accepted our offer to be the head coach at our University. With his background here with Urban Meyer and his success at Mississippi State, he is well prepared to turn the Gators back into a top-10 football program in the country. We all look forward to his arrival here in Gainesville and to welcome him back to Gator Nation.”
 
2007 Heisman Trophy Winner & Gator Great Tim Tebow:
“I love that Coach Mullen is someone who understands the culture of the University of Florida and has won two national championships here. Dan understands how to coach and mentor quarterbacks and build championship level expectations and deliver them both on and off the field. He will not only be a great coach for the players from an X’s and O’s standpoint, but as a mentor for all the young men in the program.”
 
1996 Heisman Trophy Winner & Gator Great Danny Wuerffel:
“All of us Gators love to not only win games, but have fun along the way. I’m confident Dan Mullen will quickly get us back on track on both fronts.”
 
Former Florida Quarterback & ESPN College Football Analyst Jesse Palmer:
“Having gotten to know Dan personally, and after covering him professionally I am confident that he is the right man for this job. His track record speaks for itself, as he’s been instrumental to UF’s past national championship pedigree and unprecedented success at Mississippi State. Dan is a natural leader who inspires his players to give their best both on and off the field. This is a great day for Gator Nation.”
 
Former Florida Wide Receiver David Nelson:
“I am beyond excited that Coach Mullen is returning to Gator Nation. The impact he had on our national championship seasons stretched far beyond the football field. He genuinely cares about his players - as athletes, students, and people. His offensive mind is unrivaled and his passion for the game is contagious to all those around him. Get ready... Championship Football is returning to the Swamp.”
 
Former Florida Defensive Lineman & ESPN College Football Analyst Kevin Carter:
“Dan Mullen is an excellent hire for the Gators. He will recruit both players and coaches well. His development of quarterbacks is as good as anyone in college football over the last 15 years. This is a solid move for the future of Florida Football.”
 
Former Florida Wide Receiver & SEC Network College Football Analyst Chris Doering:
“Dan Mullen is one of my top two or three current coaches in the Southeastern Conference. To be able to get a guy who has the combination of experience at the University of Florida along with a proven track record of winning within the conference, this is a great opportunity. I look forward to the Dan Mullen era beginning at Florida.”
 
ESPN College Football Analyst Kirk Herbstreit:
“Dan Mullen’s consistency and success in Starkville is a testament to his ability to evaluate talent, develop them, and put them in positions to win on Saturdays. This, along with his background in Gainesville with Championship teams, makes him a perfect fit for the Gators.”

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