Mississippi State head coach Dan Mullen is the “clear early favorite” among Florida’s administration to fill the Gators head coaching vacancy, according to Steven Godfrey of SBNation.com.

Of course, things can change at any moment.

Florida parted ways with Jim McElwain Sunday, after nearly three seasons as the Gators head coach on Sunday. McElwain went 22-12 in his three seasons at Florida.

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Mullen’s name is mainly in the mix because of his relationship with Florida AD Scott Stricken, who was previously the AD at MSU, and having previously coached at Florida as a coordinator.

On Monday, Paul Finebaum even elaborated on Mullen and how he’s “ready to make a change.”

“But on the other hand — I’ve said this constantly and you guys have heard me, Dan Mullen is ready for a change. And every time I say that Mississippi State fans push back and say, ‘He doesn’t.’ But he’s been there a long time and this would be an opportunity. I think Dan Mullen would be on the shortlist at both Tennessee and Florida.”

Interestingly, an interview with Megan Mullen surfaced Monday, and she explained how difficult coaching in Gainesville can really be. The interview was from earlier this year before the Florida job came open.

Mullen served as Florida’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach from 2005-08, before taking over the reigns at MSU in 2009. Mullen is in his ninth season at MSU and has a record of 67-44 in his tenure.