Dan Mullen shook up his Florida staff this week when he fired defensive coordinator Todd Grantham and offensive line coach John Hevesy, and promoted Christian Robinson to defensive play caller, and graduate assistant Michael Sollenne to offensive line coach.

Off-the-field staffer Paul Pasqualoni will be in an on-field role to finish out the season.

Mullen spoke on Wednesday on the SEC coaches teleconference about the timing of the move.

“I think part of it, one, the early signing day has something to do with that,” Mullen said. “… If you have an idea you’re going to make changes after the season, you look at your staff and say I might as well do that now, as long as we can continue to get our guys ready and play for this year. … It’s a great opportunity for a young coach like Christian Robinson. Let’s see how he does with that extra responsibility.”

The Gators take on Samford on Saturday.

Mullen said Robinson has been with him for a long time, and, “He knows the defense inside and out really well. I think he’s a really sharp, bright, up-and-coming young coach. … I’m excited to watch us go play on Saturday.”

For Mullen, parting ways with Grantham and Hevesy was difficult because of their long history of working together.

“It’s always a hard deal. You’re close to guys, working hard together,” Mullen said. “That’s part of the deal of being a head football coach. You have to make tough decisions for the betterment of the program.”