Dan Mullen issued his first public statement since being fired from Florida on Sunday, and he thanked the Gators leadership for the opportunity to be the head coach.

Mullen wrote that he will always cherish the 2 national championships he won on the staff at Florida under Urban Meyer, along with the previous 3 New Year’s 6 bowls.

Mullen finished 34-15 over 4 seasons at Florida, including last year’s appearance in the SEC Championship Game. The Gators (5-6, 2-6 SEC) have dropped 7 straight one-possession games, all in the last 2 seasons.

Mullen previously fired defensive coordinator Todd Grantham and run-game coordinator John Hevesy, but the Gators still struggled to beat Samford, and that was sandwiched around losses to South Carolina and Missouri.

The Gators were 2-9 in last 11 games vs. Power 5 opponents.

Mullen is reportedly due a $12 million buyout.