Florida’s first half defensive performance today against Samford was a reflection, in some part, on what happens when you fire coordinators six days before a game and elevate someone who has never been a coordinator. This is why head coaches, even when they quietly know what’s coming soon, try to hold off on coordinator firings until a more rational transition period. Sometimes, however, a midseason firing is unavoidable to appease the media and a vocal fan base. A persistent vortex of negativity damages recruiting and sometimes the evidence of commitment to change can't wait. When coordinator firings do happen mid season, some period of chaos shouldn’t be surprising. Florida will really need to stabilize the defense quickly to be ready for next week’s game AT Missouri.
Despite the Gators' righting the ship today, after an ugly first twenty five minutes and going on a 42 - 10 run over the final thirty five minutes, the drum beats got louder from the “Fire Mullen” cannibals. For some, his departure is a foregone conclusion and their negativity has spiraled into concerns over what the coaching staff wears, whether the players sing the alma mater, Mullen’s dismissive treatment of the media, and an array of other peripheral issues. Clearly, there is trouble in paradise and something needs to be done to fix the ineptitude that has defined Florida’s last 5 games. The question, really, is whether Mullen is afforded a reasonable opportunity to fix things himself and, if so, how much time he gets.. Firing two coaches last week didn’t immediately solve the problems. Some believe Mullen needs to win both remaining games to make it to next season.
I understand we now live in an “immediate results” society where persistence through adversity and delayed gratification isn’t easy to accept. I also understand that $7.2M is a lot of money. The decision points, right now, aren’t really about either of these. The $12M buyout for Mullen is also a lot of money and starting over with our 5th head coach since the 2008 National Championship doesn’t ensure success more quickly than giving Mullen another season.
The expectations at Florida ate up Jim McElwain, Will Muschamp, and even Urban Meyer. Who could Florida hire right now that would, without question, get the Gators to the College Football Playoff within four years? The other two finalists when Mullen was hired by the Gators (Chip Kelly and Scott Frost) haven’t done as well as Mullen. Maybe Mullen was too good in his first three years and there is no going backwards to be tolerated? The University of Florida is one of a handful of places where there is no grace period, but maybe the more successful approach is to be a little more patient? As one example, Jim Harbaugh is in his 6th year at Michigan and the Wolverines are currently 9-1. In 2020, Michigan had a losing record. Perhaps Florida should choose that path instead of the paths taken at places like Tennessee and Texas? If so, just maybe their patience will be rewarded.
Man I was with you until yesterdays debacle. Not sure how I feel now. 42 pts in 1 half. Wow. I’m one of those who thinks he needs to win out and fire more coaches who can recruit just to say his but. He’s paid way to much to have a losing season in year 4 (aka with his players).
Maybe Florida should consider an “up and comer” for only $3M and allow a longer time to succeed? That way the “wasted money” for a high contract and/or a high buyout isn’t an issue? If a lower paid guy isn’t the solution and the plan is another very highly paid head coach, who is it you think Florida could realistically get where we won’t be in this same spot for the 4th consecutive time?
Valid man. At this point not sure who is out there that is any better. I love Purdue coach Jeff Brohm’s offense (he’s the closest thing to Spurrier) but his D just gave up 60 to OSU. Maybe it’s another 2 years with Dan.
I agree that it would send the wrong message to fire Mullen at the end of the season. It’s a Tennessee move that perpetuates loss and puts smiles on opposing teams who know you won’t be so hard to beat and certainly have the odds against winning a NC with a new coach. I’m not even sure those posting their unhappiness with Mullen are actually gator fans. Trolling by the opposition to try to start a dumpster fire is always put forth on a daily basis. My circle isn’t a fire Mullen Group and it’s a large group spanning a few counties. Unlikely the trollers own more than two pieces of gator wear if any. But back to Mullen. You are dead on to state that nothing should have been expected to change in a weeks sort of practices. Wouldn’t matter if the best DC in the world would have been brought in on Sunday I would have expected pretty much what is saw this game. The good side is the offense scored at will for the most part as opposed to mediocre play calls we saw the ball tossed downfield well. Our secondary still can’t cover well. Hasn’t for the majority of the year which tends to put the defensive line and backers out of sync trying to make up for shoddy play in coverage. Any DC who runs drop eight and rush 3 needs replaced. Last year not this year. I watched Tennessee run it against Kentucky and it never worked. Nearly every third down was converted. Almost cost Tennessee that game late until they decided to blitz. Hopefully we will see a good DC come in but that’s going to take a commitment from UF to Mullen otherwise who really wants to come to a school for that position with a coach in his last year.
Dug,
Drop the Mic.
Well said.
Dug, this is spot on, really good write up brother, sad part is Gator Nation has no patience and I’m afraid that’s gonna lead to Mullen either being fired or stepping down, who realistically is out there that could step in and do a better job? Look at Dabo at Clemson, he’s having a rough year but you don’t see their fan base barking to fire him
Thanks. Let’s see how Texas responds to their bad loss yesterday. That’s another impatient fan base.
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