I will probably be convinced when he wins an SEC championship game as long as it does not take too long. Prior to Foley undermining the program UF won the SEC title in football in 1984, 1985, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2006, and 2008. Then the Foley coup destroyed the program. So to me the standard for this program is 11 SEC titles in 25 years. [Or if you think that standard is too tough, then 12 SEC East titles in the 28 years of division play and that include Mac time.)
I am still a bit disappointed that Mullen did not achieve the 10 win minimum before the bowl that the right hire should have won with last years roster against last years schedule that with the collapse of FSU was even worse that I claimed last off season. I am more than a bit disappointed that Mullen lost to UK IN THE SWAMP and followed that up by losing to UMo IN THE SWAMP.
This season closed nicely, but it was a very close thing. Lose that SoCar game in which UF fell so far behind IN THE SWAMP and the season may have fallen apart. As it was UF closed winning that SoCar game, beating Idaho, beating an imploding FSU team and beating a possibly checked out Michigan team in the bowl.
As other have said, I am encourage that this team got better as the year went on. To my mind I am particularly encouraged that the offense got better. Spurrier and Meyer teams got better as the season went on usually and I agree this is a trait of good coaching. Still that must be tempered by the end of the schedule not being nearly as tough as some recent seasons due again to the implosion of FSU and not making the SEC championship game.
All the feel good will dissipate quickly if UF reverts next season. I believe that Mullen is a better coach than I thought when he was hired. But he did not win anything his first year at UF. So I am certainly not convince he is the right guy for the job long term until he does win something.