Dan Mullen, having enjoyed a successful career in football coaching, found himself comfortable in his role as a commentator on ESPN. However, an opportunity opened up that sparked a renewed passion for returning to the sidelines – the position of head coach at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV).
Mullen decided this was the right time to transition back into coaching when Barry Odom departed UNLV for Purdue after leading the team to consecutive Mountain West championship games.
Erick Harper, UNLV’s athletic director, gauged Mullen’s enthusiasm for coaching during their conversations. Harper swiftly realized that Mullen’s passion for football was as fervent as ever, despite his three-year hiatus from coaching.
Mullen had previously visited Las Vegas for Tim Tebow’s College Football Hall of Fame induction in 2023, during which he was impressed by UNLV’s $35 million Fertitta Football Complex established in 2019. The city that had UNLV play at an NFL stadium further cemented his intrigue.
Reflecting on his experiences, Mullen noted, “This facility is leaps and bounds ahead of what I had when I took the Mississippi State job and even superior to Florida’s.” His goal became clear: to maintain the high standard set by Odom and keep UNLV competitive on the national stage.
Known for his offensive prowess, Mullen garnered a reputation for crafting successful game strategies, a skill that made him an appealing choice to helm the Rebels. His track record includes two national titles won at Florida as offensive coordinator under Urban Meyer. At Mississippi State, Mullen achieved a commendable 69-46 record, guiding the team to multiple bowl games. His tenure with Florida resulted in a 34-15 record over four years, highlighted by a Southeastern Conference championship appearance in 2020.
Mullen’s career had foundational roots with Meyer. He first caught Meyer’s attention while working as a graduate assistant at Notre Dame. Meyer’s initial impression of Mullen was that of a dedicated and intellectually gifted coach whose expertise extended beyond football. Meyer soon took Mullen along his coaching journey, entrusting him with great responsibilities at Bowling Green and Utah where Mullen essentially served as the offensive coordinator.
When Meyer transitioned to Florida in 2005, he entrusted Mullen again, this time as his official offensive coordinator. Despite initial skepticism regarding their spread offense’s effectiveness in the SEC, their strategy led to national successes in 2006 and 2008.
Mullen eventually decided to chart his course separately at Mississippi State, a decision Meyer supported despite having reservations about the program’s state at the time. Mullen was determined and saw improvement at Mississippi State, culminating in him taking over a struggling Florida team and transforming it.
UNLV, while thriving recently, is not without challenges. It must address the departures of key players like Ricky White III and Jackson Woodard ahead of the NFL draft. Furthermore, college football’s landscape has shifted with the rise of the transfer portal and name, image, and likeness agreements, making roster stability more transient.
Having observed these evolutions from the sidelines at ESPN, Mullen now feels equipped to adapt. As he steps back onto the field, he carries with him the hope of writing a brighter coaching chapter following a bumpy ending at Florida in 2021 when he was dismissed before the season’s end due to a disappointing performance.
Mullen is determined for a triumphant comeback, aspiring to close his coaching saga on a high note. He stated, “I don’t want my career to conclude as it did in Florida. This fresh opportunity at UNLV offers a chance to redefine that ending.”