LAS VEGAS — To maintain the positive trajectory of its football program, UNLV has turned to the Southeastern Conference by hiring Dan Mullen, the former Florida and Mississippi State head coach, as the new leader of the 24th-ranked team. Mullen’s introduction is scheduled for a press conference on Friday morning.
Athletic director Erick Harper expressed enthusiasm about the hiring, describing Mullen as “an innovator and nationally respected leader.” Harper believes that bringing Mullen on board demonstrates the university’s commitment to achieving success in football. “Rebel Nation has come alive with the team’s recent progress, and we look forward to further advancement under Dan Mullen’s experienced guidance,” Harper stated.
Mullen takes over the program from Barry Odom, who departed for Purdue after compiling a 19-8 record and leading the Rebels to back-to-back bowl game appearances, marking a historic achievement for UNLV. The team is set to face California in the LA Bowl on Wednesday.
The athletic director acted swiftly to fill the vacancy left by Odom. Mullen acknowledged the groundwork that has been laid over the past two seasons, highlighting the team’s near-miss of a College Football Playoff spot. “We aim to sustain and build on this excitement and momentum,” he mentioned in a statement.
Before joining UNLV, Mullen served as an analyst for ESPN after a successful coaching tenure where he compiled a record of 103-61 at Florida and Mississippi State. His time at Florida from 2018 to 2021 featured a 34-15 record. Prior to his arrival, Florida had a challenging season, but Mullen significantly turned the program around in his first two years. However, he was let go after a less favorable performance in his final two seasons.
At Mississippi State from 2009 to 2017, Mullen recorded a 69-46 record, led the team to eight consecutive bowl games, and notably brought the Bulldogs to No. 1 in the national rankings in 2014. This previous success stands in contrast to the Rebels’ historical struggles, as they now step into the upcoming season after finishing with a promising 10-3 record. The Rebels were on the brink of a College Football Playoff berth until narrowly losing to the No. 8 ranked Boise State in the Mountain West championship game.
Though the future looks bright, UNLV will face challenges as several key players will be departing the program, including quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams, wide receiver Ricky White III, linebacker Jackson Woodard, and defensive back Jalen Catalon. Woodard was honored as the Mountain West defensive player of the year and White gained recognition as the conference’s premier special teams player for his exceptional contributions, including blocking four punts during the season.
