Get Ready for Mullen Ball

NOLAGATOR

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Expect a lot of this
 

Gator By Marriage

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I'm generally a Mullen supporter and think the criticisms here are often way over the top. I've talked at length about how we tend to look back on the 90s with all the negatives taken out, but seemingly do the opposite with the current era. So as I said, I tend to give him a lot more credit than some on this board.

Having said that, the problem as I see it, is two-fold. One, as @ltraz said, he's surrounded himself with bad coaches, and one who even if he'd turned out to be good, was literally hated by much of Gator Nation going in. That's a big roll of the dice with a 6mil salary at stake, and not surprisingly, it has backfired. Secondly, his recruiting efforts have been dismal. Notice I'm not strictly judging final production, as I think the admin and program is doing him no favors in that regard. But it's the lack of intensity--the exact opposite of what he preached day one--that bothers me. I still think he's likely the best option for the time being, and hope he can take the next step. The last thing I want is Stricklin being in charge of another search. But those things I can't defend.
This was a well reasoned & well thought out post.

What's it doing here?
 

gatorev12

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I'm generally a Mullen supporter and think the criticisms here are often way over the top. I've talked at length about how we tend to look back on the 90s with all the negatives taken out, but seemingly do the opposite with the current era. So as I said, I tend to give him a lot more credit than some on this board.

Having said that, the problem as I see it, is two-fold. One, as @ltraz said, he's surrounded himself with bad coaches, and one who even if he'd turned out to be good, was literally hated by much of Gator Nation going in. That's a big roll of the dice with a 6mil salary at stake, and not surprisingly, it has backfired. Secondly, his recruiting efforts have been dismal. Notice I'm not strictly judging final production, as I think the admin and program is doing him no favors in that regard. But it's the lack of intensity--the exact opposite of what he preached day one--that bothers me. I still think he's likely the best option for the time being, and hope he can take the next step. The last thing I want is Stricklin being in charge of another search. But those things I can't defend.

Well-said.

I wasn't a fan of the Mullen hire, but he's done a lot of good in the first 3 seasons and had me cautiously optimistic.

He got us over the UGAy hump this year and to the SEC Championship (postives); but that LSU loss was just completely inexplicable for an "elite" coach to have. Simply something that does not, cannot, and should not ever happen to an elite coach. Period.

It was a lack of preparation and focus from top to bottom; and that is on him and no one else. Instead of holding Wilson accountable (benching him for the first series of the SEC Championship to prove a point to the team), he makes him a Captain. For a coach that wants to peach about setting a standard and holding everyone accountable to it...he completely failed at multiple points this season in doing what he says.
 

neteng

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His recruiting is lazy because his staff lazy. His defense is horrible because his DC is horrible. I couldnt care less if he got to 29 wins before Spurrier or Meyer. He should have gotten to 32 wins but because he won't make changes to his coaching staff he is failing.
 

NOLAGATOR

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His recruiting is lazy because his staff lazy. His defense is horrible because his DC is horrible. I couldnt care less if he got to 29 wins before Spurrier or Meyer. He should have gotten to 32 wins but because he won't make changes to his coaching staff he is failing.

THIS
 

lizardbreath

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I was willing to take a "wait and see approach" despite my original misgivings/disappointment when the DM hire was first announced. Admittedly, I was encouraged that he was able to take a thoroughly disheartened grab bag of mismatched parts and bench warmers and cobble together something that at least resembled a middling good SEC FB team in year one. Initially, his lack-luster recruiting seemed, to me at least, to be an indication of how far the program had fallen and I was willing to give it a chance to improve along with an improved product on the field. Unfortunately, it has not and apparently never will with DM at the helm. He's just too stubborn to see the need for change or too lazy to undertake the needed adjustments.

Then, there is the undeniable failure of a DC who has been shown the door everywhere he has ever been. Add an NCAA show-cause order on DM personally. Then throw in an excruciatingly long series of gaffes and goofs both on and off the field. Just for good measure mix in a mind-numbing collapse at the end off last season. The big picture is not a pretty one. The '21 season could possibly have been a chance for a fresh beginning and a reaffirmation of DM's competence and suitability for the job job at UF. IMHO, that went out the window when he didn't fire Toad Gruntly immediately after the Cotton Bowl. I really don't expect much from the "retooled" O and we all should know what to expect from the D. The DM regime is rapidly approaching the point of no return - if in fact it isn't already there.
 

gatorev12

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ESPN had an article about the 2020 top 10 QBs in QBR for games *after* Nov 20th (ie: end of the season, when stakes are on the line, pressure is greater, etc.). Mac Jones was at the top.

Nowhere in the top 10 was Kyle Trask...a guy who'd been easily top 5 most of the season.

Our games: Kentucky, Tennessee, LSU, Bama, and Oklahoma.

We looked like garbage vs Kentucky, Tennessee, and especially LSU. No focus, vanilla offensive playcalling, etc. THAT is on Mullen.

It very likely cost us a Heisman for Trask and a shot at Bama. Yes, I'm aware we played them in the SEC Championship and wanted a win...but how much more would that game have meant if we roll into the SEC Championship game with 1 loss and a chance at the playoffs? How much harder would players have worked? We went into that game knowing that even a win wouldn't get us to the playoffs.
 

NOLAGATOR

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Mullen was the last Guy I wanted...BUT then I had hope and changed my opinion.

I went round and round with Swamp "LAW" Donk...And to my dismay, the Donk was so right.

I wanted either Kerwin which would NEVER happen or some young up and comer. I am tired of others has beens.

I am afraid UF is not my UF when Football either Made or Ruined Spring Semester/ or Winter QTR. Profs even let you out of class early on Fridays on game weeks...Not the Business College they didn't have classes on Friday.

I know Fuchs really does not care and that permeates the campus.
 

GatorJB

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Did you really just ask why FACT is relevant? I get that it’s inconvenient for you, but irrelevant? Really?

If the goal is to win championships and he doesn't win any, then how is him being the first to win 29 games relevant? Jim McElwain was the first coach to win 10 games in his first season. Will Muschamp won 11 games in his second season with the best statistical defense in school history. How did they turn out?

Here's another fact: Mullen lost his last three games while giving up 144 total points (48 pt average). I hope he does turn it around, but I just don't see how when we continuously rank 5th in the conference in recruiting, lose one of the best QBs and the best TE in school history, have poor LB depth, and retained maybe the worst DC in the conference.
 

TheDouglas78

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I'm generally a Mullen supporter and think the criticisms here are often way over the top. I've talked at length about how we tend to look back on the 90s with all the negatives taken out, but seemingly do the opposite with the current era. So as I said, I tend to give him a lot more credit than some on this board.

Having said that, the problem as I see it, is two-fold. One, as @ltraz said, he's surrounded himself with bad coaches, and one who even if he'd turned out to be good, was literally hated by much of Gator Nation going in. That's a big roll of the dice with a 6mil salary at stake, and not surprisingly, it has backfired. Secondly, his recruiting efforts have been dismal. Notice I'm not strictly judging final production, as I think the admin and program is doing him no favors in that regard. But it's the lack of intensity--the exact opposite of what he preached day one--that bothers me. I still think he's likely the best option for the time being, and hope he can take the next step. The last thing I want is Stricklin being in charge of another search. But those things I can't defend.

Sofla, I can sum up that entire second paragraph in one word.. Unprofessional. He is our Carson Wentz, a guy that shows promise but lacks what it takes to make the next step forward.
 

itsgr82bag8r

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I'm generally a Mullen supporter and think the criticisms here are often way over the top. I've talked at length about how we tend to look back on the 90s with all the negatives taken out, but seemingly do the opposite with the current era. So as I said, I tend to give him a lot more credit than some on this board.

Having said that, the problem as I see it, is two-fold. One, as @ltraz said, he's surrounded himself with bad coaches, and one who even if he'd turned out to be good, was literally hated by much of Gator Nation going in. That's a big roll of the dice with a 6mil salary at stake, and not surprisingly, it has backfired. Secondly, his recruiting efforts have been dismal. Notice I'm not strictly judging final production, as I think the admin and program is doing him no favors in that regard. But it's the lack of intensity--the exact opposite of what he preached day one--that bothers me. I still think he's likely the best option for the time being, and hope he can take the next step. The last thing I want is Stricklin being in charge of another search. But those things I can't defend.

I agree on everything you said. It’s factual, not feelings.....except for the “roll of the dice” part. I’m not sure Dan is at all worried about what anyone else thinks regarding his chances of a long-term coaching job here. Hell, it wasn’t a secret Megan wasn’t thrilled about returning to a place she felt fan hostility from the last time they were in town. If he is concerned about it, he sucks at it! :lol:
 

itsgr82bag8r

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It’s ok. We expect for you make dumb analogies, much like the overwhelming majority of your posts.
 

itsgr82bag8r

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Mullen was the last Guy I wanted...BUT then I had hope and changed my opinion.

I went round and round with Swamp "LAW" Donk...And to my dismay, the Donk was so right.

I wanted either Kerwin which would NEVER happen or some young up and comer. I am tired of others has beens.

I am afraid UF is not my UF when Football either Made or Ruined Spring Semester/ or Winter QTR. Profs even let you out of class early on Fridays on game weeks...Not the Business College they didn't have classes on Friday.

I know Fuchs really does not care and that permeates the campus.

Your boy Donk also continually disparaged one of the most prolific passers in UF history. You should choose more carefully those who you model your thinking from.
 

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