We have also learned that current running back coach Ja'Juan Seider is expected to be retained as the running backs coach. Seider is a terrific recruiter and showed his merit as a coach with the Gator running backs playing much better than expected, especially the two young backs in Malik David and Adarius Lemons.
Staying on the offensive side, we are also hearing that assistant Brad Davis is expected to be asked to stay on. The dilemma being that Hevesy is an offensive line coach too. However, when Hevesy coached with Mullen back at Florida, there were two offensive line coaches at the time. We aren’t sure what to expect here.
On the other side of the ball, we have heard that defensive line coach and Co-defensive coordinator Chris Rumph is expected to be asked to stay on. Rumph has coached the position for three years at Florida and is highly regarded for his work at the position. He assumed defensive play calling duties late in the season this year, after Randy Shannon was promoted to Interim Head Coach. Rumph has been able to bring in some top talent along the front and has shown maybe the best ability to get players ready to play at their positions as any assistant currently at Florida.
Lastly, we are hearing that Randy Shannon will be asked to stay on in some capacity. Shannon was Defensive Coordinator before assuming the interim Head Coach role. He has the respect of the school and the athletic administration.
The word is also that Todd Grantham, the defensive coordinator at Mississippi State, will join Mullen at Florida in the same capacity. However, some believe that Grantham may be up for the head coaching spot at MSU.
MSU safety coach Ron English has also been a name we have heard mentioned for the same position at Florida. We haven’t heard quite as much chatter but can believe that.
We expect strength and condition coach Nick Savage to also move on from MSU and become the strength and conditioning coordinator at Florida. Savage is highly respected and we have heard Mullen has told the team to expect a big change in that department and soon.
Finally, Director of Football Operations Jon Clark at Mississippi State is expected to follow Mullen. Clark has actually held the same position at Florida under Urban Meyer, but left to do the job at MSU with Mullen.
We want to point out that if the jobs are offered it doesn’t mean that the coaches will take the position. Coaching changes cause a lot of reactions at a lot of schools and other more attractive promotions may open up elsewhere. But we feel confident at Fightin’ Gators that these are some main targets for Mullen as he looks to fill out his staff.