OMG, I found the email I sent Strichnine 4 years ago, LOL.
Sun, Nov 26, 2017 6:45 pm
Dear Mr. Stricklin,
Exactly one year ago, I emailed you after the 2016 FSU football game politely asking you to take a real look at the football program and be proactive and make a change at the head football coaching position. I explained it had nothing to do with the Wins and Losses, but the crummy product that was being put on the field week after week. As a process person, I did not care that we were 2 time winners of the SEC East (someone had to be), rather that there was clearly no process based on what we witnessed each and every Saturday. I knew that realistically and financially a change would not be made, but I felt I had a right to share my opinion. Fast forward to 2017 and the same crummy product was put on the field on a weekly basis and it got worse by the week. Thankfully Coach Mac stuck his foot in his mouth and opened the door for you and the administration to make a move. To your credit, you and the administration seized that opportunity, jettisoned a horrible head football coach and did so at what appears to be a fraction of the total buyout. I saluted you and the administration with kudos for this move and I had hoped that this was a new beginning at the Athletic Dept. In regards to football at UF (I repeat, football), there has been exactly ZERO leadership within the administration or on the football staff.
Given that the change was made mid season I was hopeful that thorough research could be done into legitimate candidates, and that we would not implore the lazy way out of just looking at records or being biased to someone who had worked, coached or been an assistant manager here. So I returned today from my holiday weekend to be informed that Dan Mullen is going to be the next Head Football Coach at my beloved UF. After getting over hours of shock and pure disdain and disappointment, I found a steady enough hand to politely send you my honest opinion. I moved to this town 2 years ago to retire because I enjoy Gator sports and wanted to go to games, etc. I have been to all the home football games since I arrived with the exception of this past weekend. I was so hopeful that when you took the initiative with the administration to settle the Coach Mac issue that there was finally "A new sheriff in town" at the UAA in regards to football. But upon learning that Dan Mullen will be the next coach, all I could say was "same song, different day". For the past 20 or so years here, when a major decision had to be made regarding the football program, the one trait that was clearly apparent and always exhibited by the former AD, Jeremy Foley, was PANIC!. Well sadly, in my humble opinion, in your short time at UF, you have learned very well that trait of PANIC (regarding football), in allowing Dan Mullen to become the head football coach. I realize that a decision this monumental is not solely on your shoulders, but as AD, I know that you are in charge of putting all those together who will weigh in on the decision, be it administration and boosters. I just want to say that personally I think this is and will be an awful hire, regardless of what his record was as head coach at MSU or where Mullen was an assistant or coached/learned under. I have seen plenty of Dan Mullen coached games and think he is terrible at game management and have never been impressed with the fundamental soundness of the way his teams play.
Of all the names that were thrown out now for weeks, whether they be legitimate or just in jest, I personally made a promise to myself that if Dan Mullen were to become UF's head coach, that I could not bring myself to personally attend a football game while Mullen was the coach. Now I know you do not personally care about one or two, etc. fan's personal opinions, but I am guessing you will be receiving numerous emails, calls or correspondences similar to mine. I also know that there will be plenty of people who are in favor of the Mullen hire, and we are all entitled to our personal opinion. Rest assured if Dan Mullen proves to be successful as the head football coach at UF in the way that our fans expect, I will personally write you and tell you I was incorrect and congratulate you. However if I (and others) am correct in my opinions regarding Dan Mullen and his coaching acumen at UF, I hope that you will stand up and graciously admit the mistake. I will humbly root for the players and the team, but I just can't bring myself to financially support the program being that I am so adamantly against Dan Mullen at UF.
Thank you again for being somewhat proactive with Coach Mac. I wish I felt the same about our apparent new head football coach at UF.
Sincerely,
Please say it isn't so! >
