By Mark Pszonak
UNLV is a program that has unexpectedly become relevant in recent seasons. And despite the loss of head coach Barry Odom to Purdue, the Rebels are hoping to continue their rebirth this season under the leadership of new head coach Dan Mullen.
Mullen has had a long and interesting coaching career, which began as an assistant at Wagner in 1994 and included more prolific stops at Mississippi State and Florida as a head coach. His time in Gainesville from 2018 to 2021 recently garnered some attention when he made the following comment.
“The facility here blows away anything that was at Florida when I left. I didn’t want to have to come into a program that you had to build from the ground up,” said Mullen. “We have a great stadium in Allegiant Stadium. We were a game away from the College Football Playoff last year… So when you’re starting to check boxes, you know? Facilities? Check. Stadium? Check. Opportunity to win a championship immediately? Check. Great place to live? Check. Really good schools for my kids, I want my family to grow up here? Check.”
Mullen took the opportunity to boost his current job situation while throwing shade at Florida, where he was fired 3.5 years ago. It is interesting that he chose to target Florida and not Mississippi State, but that is likely because he wasn’t fired by the Bulldogs.
Comments like this can also give a boost, no matter how minimal, to recruiting. And head coaches will take any opportunity to find a way to accomplish this. Coach Mullen did this, while taking a shot at his former employer. It’s a win-win situation for Coach Mullen.
