- Jul 31, 2018
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Mullen's Spring Speaking Tour 2019 - EDIT: DC Write-up posted
- Thread starter BMF
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- Sep 8, 2014
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Sorry for the delay....I went out to a few bars afterwards last night then had to spend time w/ family today, first chance to get online since yesterday.
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The event was very good. The National Press Club is a neat place w/ a lot of history. It was a great location to host the event, they had a spread of heavy app's before hand and a cash bar. I'm guessing there were at least 300 people there. It was a nice night in DC, not too cold or windy, and a good night to head into the city. The Press Club is a few blocks from the White House.
Mullen was introduced by a local news personality who was a Miss Florida 2004 (I think) and UF grad. He spoke for about an hour and did a Q&A session that lasted at least 30 minutes, then he signed autographs and took pictures for another half hour or more. I got a picture w/ him at the very end and mentioned that I met him in 2005 when I was a Gator Club president and he was our guest speaker before he ever coached a game at UF. He laughed and said he remembers and always points out the place when he's in the area recruiting.
Anyhow, he spoke a lot about the usual rah-rah stuff: happy to be here, the "Gator Standard", how he likes cheering on the other programs at UF, how UF is a great academic university, mentioned the big basketball win vs. Alabama, the baseball teams win, he talked a little bit about his time at Miss State and that he came to UF to win a national title - he said his son wasn't too keen on moving to Gainesville, so he gave him his 2006 NC ring to wear and his son said something like "can we get more of these?" Mullen said, "that's the plan!". He did a great job w/ the crowd, had people laughing, made fun of himself some, talked about running the Boston Marathon, how tough it was - and this was the funny part for me; he says, "Anyone here run the Boston Marathon?" I causally raised my hand, not too high....but I was the only person in the room to raise my hand. So he starts talking about how tough "Heartbreak Hill" was....and he's looking at me for confirmation. So I just shake my head "yeah, yeah" every time he looked in my direction.
He spoke about how tough the S&C program is and how great Savage does with the kids. He said, "If you're name is "Nick Savage" you were born to be a Strength Coach!" which got a good laugh. He said a lot of what they do is based off of Navy SEAL training. There was a lady in the crowd who was a friend of his (I think from his childhood in New Hampshire) who's brother was a Navy SEAL. He talked about their relationship and how tough the guy was/is. The SEAL got brain cancer and Mullen found out in 2006, just after the SEC Championship game - they had concealed it from him until after the season so it wouldn't be a distraction. Anyhow, that led into him talking more about the S&C program and how some kids can go through the tough workouts just fine - like most SEALS just keep pushing through when things get tough - and that some kids fail before the workout even starts. He mentioned the Valentine's Day workout and how tough it was.
He talked about the new coaching hires and he's happy with both Gray & Turner. He talked about Grantham interviewing and said the new contract was signed well before the interview came up and it had nothing to do with trying to keep him (by outbidding the NFL teams). He said Grantham told him he loves working for him, his kids love Gainesville, and that he feels he may want to coach in the NFL someday again so he wanted to do the interview just to see what they say and are offering.
The Q&A had a few interesting responses. Of course there were some stupid questions like "who's the better golfer, you or your wife?" Which led to him talking about how good his son was at golf (taking away from talking about football!"). This was the most interesting response to me all night, he was asked which position group in the signing class most excited him.....he said the WR's. He didn't mention Henderson at all, but he talked about Whittemore, Marks, and Weston. He said they were all 3-stars. He said, "...the only time stars matter is on signing day, so we can say we had a top 10 class and all of you are happy" (that got a laugh out of the crowd). But he talked specifically about all 3 of them; said Weston & Marks didn't go to many camps, if they had they would have been highly rated. He said they all watched Marks tape sitting around the room....they said, "Who's offered this kid? FIU?" They watch more tape....then he asked, "What do you think?" They all agreed, (and this is word for word): "He's the best WR in the country!" He said Whittimore is nearly 6'4, his mom is a legacy, dad is a coach and he is a very good football player - Mr. Football & Basketball for the area.
Was asked if Toney can get 10 touches a game? He said Toney is an exciting player and will continue to be a big part of the offense.
Was asked what his favorite play in UF history is and he talked about the jump pass....then said "any play involving Percy". Said Percy is the best football player he's ever seen.
Talked about Tebow some and their relationship.
Talked about Franks a little. He said he gives him a hard time all the time about "shushing" the crowd. "You're the only QB in the country who shushed his home crowd!" Said he still has work to do, but has come a long way.
Said when he got here he asked the team, "How many of you want to win a championship?" They all raised their hands....and he said, "You're lying. Because if you did you wouldn't have gone 4-7 last year!"
It was a mad rush to get pictures w/ him afterwards; families w/ kids, the DC Gator Club people, at least 100 people waiting. We hung around towards the end and got a picture w/ him - me and another Coast Guard buddy (the guy taking the picture is my CG buddy who played football at Oregon State). After we took the picture and Mullen was done signing that's when we quickly chatted about meeting in 2005....then I said, "I was the guy in the crowd who ran the Boston Marathon." My other buddy said something like "he said he didn't have as hard of a time on the hills as you did!" Honestly, I can't believe how engaging he was. His posse (the UAA people) were trying to get him out the door saying he had a flight to catch....but he talked to anyone that came up to him. He may or may not win one here but if you don't like the guy as a person you're probably an unhappy person and your life sucks.
I'm sure there's some more I forgot to include.....I'll add later if I remember. I'm in the last picture below on the left. I'm coming off of hernia surgery, so I'm usually much more handsome!!! (the other guy is my CG buddy who is a 99 UF grad. His brother is an Alachua County firefighter - I think he's the EMS Chief). Great night and I'm excited about the future of UF football!
- Sep 8, 2014
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Marine, I rarely get down that way living in Arlington. I'd rather stick needles in my eyes than drive down I-95! I have been on the base at Quantico a few times - staying in the BOQ once. Glad to hear you're still running. I haven't run in 12 days and it's killing me! I hope I'm able to get in a few miles by the end of this week.
- Jun 11, 2014
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- Sep 8, 2014
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Mullen also mentioned the upgrades/facilities and joked that he was glad they started the new baseball stadium....so they can tear down the current baseball stadium and start the football building - saying it will be the best in the country.
- Sep 8, 2014
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Look at the first post...
- Sep 23, 2017
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Stricklin was the fluffer for Coach last night in Palm Beach. Coach killed it. Spoke for an hour! He brings serious energy to the party.
- Sep 8, 2014
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Here's a 247 article from the Palm Beach Gator Club last night:
Mullen raves about CB signee Elam
Mullen raves about CB signee Elam
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Florida landed a commitment from Palm Beach Gardens (Fla.) The Benjamin School four-star cornerback Kaiir Elam on National Signing Day. Since Elam did not send his National Letter of Intent to UF until late in the afternoon, Gators head coach Dan Mullen was unable to comment on the talented cornerback during his National Signing Day press conference held earlier in the day.
On Wednesday, Mullen met with the Palm Beach Gator Club where he was first able to discuss the top defensive back.
“I’ve known the family a very long time,” Mullen said of the Elams. “I’ve known dad all the way back to Notre Dame. I was part of his recruitment at Notre Dame. So I think that relationship helped, and knowing Kaiir a long time with me recruiting him a long time certainly helped.
“The great thing about Kaiir, is you’re not just getting a special player, you’re getting a high-end young man too. Obviously, I think the top corner in America and an unbelievable athlete, but beyond that, he’s a great student, does a lot in the community, has aspirations beyond football as well.”
In fact, Mullen sees Elam as the prototypical prospect UF wants to sign. Players that not only excel on the field, but excel off it as well.
“You know, that’s the type of student-athlete we are looking for at Florida. Guys that are best of the best. We’re the only team in the country that’s top 10 in football and academics. He’s a guy that fits that profile, that’s a top 10 football and academic guy.”
Elam’s recruitment came down to Florida and Georgia. While Elam was on his official visit to see the Bulldogs, then Florida cornerbacks coach Charlton Warren was hired by UGA. Warren was previously leading Elam’s recruitment for the Gators and had gone in-home with the family days earlier still working and recruiting for UF.
Was Mullen ever worried that might sway Elam to the Bulldogs?
“No,” he calmly answered. “You know, I’ve had a great relationship with him all along. I think he knew Florida was the best place for him with the combination with everything. When you’re looking at football and academics, it’s hard to compete with that.”
Later in the night, a fan in the crowd asked Mullen about Elam’s television announcement where he pulled out a Georgia hat at first before finally donning a Florida hat and giving Gator Chomps. The fan wondered if the UGA hat at first had Mullen worried.
“He had called us a little bit earlier,” Mullen confessed, confirm what Elam said on National Signing Day. “You know, I think a lot of the kids, not everybody does, but I’d say a majority, I’d say 99-percent of those kids call everybody beforehand to let you know what their intentions are. To be honest with you, they can do all they want with the hat, until you get the paper, you don’t know.”
Mullen reaffirmed to the crowd again that Elam is the type of person and player they want in the program.
“We’re really excited to have Kaiir a part of the family, a part of the program. He’s not just an unbelievable football player, but he fits that Gator Standard. He’s a great young man, a great student, a great person in the community, and really fits what it is to be a champion in that Gator Standard.”
The 247Sports Composite, an industry generated average, ranked Elam as the nation’s No. 48 overall prospect and the No. 6 cornerback in the 2019 recruiting class.
Mullen raves about CB signee Elam
Mullen raves about CB signee Elam
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Florida landed a commitment from Palm Beach Gardens (Fla.) The Benjamin School four-star cornerback Kaiir Elam on National Signing Day. Since Elam did not send his National Letter of Intent to UF until late in the afternoon, Gators head coach Dan Mullen was unable to comment on the talented cornerback during his National Signing Day press conference held earlier in the day.
On Wednesday, Mullen met with the Palm Beach Gator Club where he was first able to discuss the top defensive back.
“I’ve known the family a very long time,” Mullen said of the Elams. “I’ve known dad all the way back to Notre Dame. I was part of his recruitment at Notre Dame. So I think that relationship helped, and knowing Kaiir a long time with me recruiting him a long time certainly helped.
“The great thing about Kaiir, is you’re not just getting a special player, you’re getting a high-end young man too. Obviously, I think the top corner in America and an unbelievable athlete, but beyond that, he’s a great student, does a lot in the community, has aspirations beyond football as well.”
In fact, Mullen sees Elam as the prototypical prospect UF wants to sign. Players that not only excel on the field, but excel off it as well.
“You know, that’s the type of student-athlete we are looking for at Florida. Guys that are best of the best. We’re the only team in the country that’s top 10 in football and academics. He’s a guy that fits that profile, that’s a top 10 football and academic guy.”
Elam’s recruitment came down to Florida and Georgia. While Elam was on his official visit to see the Bulldogs, then Florida cornerbacks coach Charlton Warren was hired by UGA. Warren was previously leading Elam’s recruitment for the Gators and had gone in-home with the family days earlier still working and recruiting for UF.
Was Mullen ever worried that might sway Elam to the Bulldogs?
“No,” he calmly answered. “You know, I’ve had a great relationship with him all along. I think he knew Florida was the best place for him with the combination with everything. When you’re looking at football and academics, it’s hard to compete with that.”
Later in the night, a fan in the crowd asked Mullen about Elam’s television announcement where he pulled out a Georgia hat at first before finally donning a Florida hat and giving Gator Chomps. The fan wondered if the UGA hat at first had Mullen worried.
“He had called us a little bit earlier,” Mullen confessed, confirm what Elam said on National Signing Day. “You know, I think a lot of the kids, not everybody does, but I’d say a majority, I’d say 99-percent of those kids call everybody beforehand to let you know what their intentions are. To be honest with you, they can do all they want with the hat, until you get the paper, you don’t know.”
Mullen reaffirmed to the crowd again that Elam is the type of person and player they want in the program.
“We’re really excited to have Kaiir a part of the family, a part of the program. He’s not just an unbelievable football player, but he fits that Gator Standard. He’s a great young man, a great student, a great person in the community, and really fits what it is to be a champion in that Gator Standard.”
The 247Sports Composite, an industry generated average, ranked Elam as the nation’s No. 48 overall prospect and the No. 6 cornerback in the 2019 recruiting class.
- Sep 8, 2014
- 25,448
- 59,461
- Sep 8, 2014
- 25,448
- 59,461
Well, if they're going to waste time recruiting California he could possibly do a date in So Cal somewhere - kill two birds while visiting several recruits out there. I think San Diego has a big UF Gator Club, not sure about LA though.
- Sep 23, 2017
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Last edited:
- Jun 9, 2014
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I thought he was being sarcastic too.
Let's just forget about the moronic "let's leave Florida for everyone else and we will just go recruit Cali for a year" plan.
- Aug 11, 2015
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- Jun 9, 2014
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That logo is a tragedy that deserves to be tossed in the closest dumpster and burned.
