Basic rule of life and especially leadership: If you want things to change, you have to change.
In Mullen’s case, his path forward at UF would require him to truly accept responsibility for the problems in the program, recognize his weaknesses and how they contribute to those problems and hire the right people to fix them. This would include:
1. Take a pay cut on an extension (necessary for recruiting) and lower the buyout. Use the money to attract top notch recruiters who can also coach.
2. Complete revision of his attitude and staffing toward recruiting.
3. Replace every coach who isn’t fitting the model.
4. Get a clear vision of what the culture is and where it needs to be and lead accordingly.
5. Step back from the things he doesn’t do so well and give them to people he can trust. In competence and character.
Jim Harbaugh did a rebuild at Michigan. The reversal from 2020 is pretty impressive. I’m not suggesting Mullen can also do that or that he’s on par with Harbaugh. I don’t like Harbaugh but he has done well. Mullen needs to realize THIS cannot continue so either leave or change. If he cannot, his career has peaked whether he stays or goes.
Stricklin needs to decide whether or not to give him a year to enact these changes IF Mullen is committed to trying. Whether it’s Mullen or someone else, change is needed and it’s a hard road.
