Not defending Stricklin but he knew mullen; mullen is considered a Gator(although we all now know he's a fraud); and in talking with influential people like Spurrier it received the blessing. There was also the appearance that mullen had done reasonably well at the impossible Miss St., notwithstanding the obvious elephant that was a previous losing season- everyone focused on the mirage that was a mid-term #1 ranking, which, true to mullen form, disintegrated during his annual late season collapse.
It is now obvious to everyone that mullen has or was never more than a self centered, overpaid OC who sees his opportunities as privilege to cover for his mediocre assistants, his inner circle, instead of making tough decisions and working hard enough and smart enough to have by now built a self sustaining machine.