Dan Mullen on AU QB Bo Nix, WR Anthony Schwartz, his success at Mississippi State
Auburn’s trip to Florida headlines the college football Week 6 schedule.
The Tigers and Gators will renew one of the least talked about rivalries within the SEC. Both programs enter ranked in the top 10, and both teams have different strengths and weaknesses. We’re going to learn a lot about Florida and Auburn Saturday.
Dan Mullen hopped on the SEC Coaches Teleconference Wednesday, and he was asked about Auburn quarterback Bo Nix. Earlier this week, Mullen explained how he made a couple calls over to Nix’s high school to inquire about the signal caller in recruiting, but that Nix didn’t reciprocate because he was dead set on attending Auburn. Now, he’s one of the top freshmen quarterbacks in the country.
Mullen, again, was asked about Nix Wednesday. The Florida head coach said Nix has the “it” factor and it translates to the field. That’s why he’s been so successful so early in his freshman season.
The Florida head coach was also asked about the fastest man in college football in AU receiver Anthony Schwartz. Schwartz is from Florida, and he’ll be returning to his home state Saturday. Mullen called him “explosive” Wednesday and added that he’s dangerous because he can take it to the house on any given play.
The Gators and Tigers kickoff Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS Sports.
Here are the other important items Mullen discussed on the teleconference:
- On 2nd year at MSU: I think in my time, the honeymoon at MSU… It may have lasted a little longer. But that year changed the expectations a bit. We live in an instant gratification society now… The patience helped at MSU. Our 2nd year was good… After that, we kinda had a down year, then a good year. That was before we had a consistent program. Look at what Mark Stoops has done at Kentucky… Sometimes it takes time, people don’t want to give it time to build up a program.
- On strength coaches: I don’t know if I’d call them bizarre. We have the best strength and conditioning coach in Nick Savage… Maybe there are guys out there that do weird things, but our guys are focused on development and maximizing our players.
- On QB coach Brian Johnson: When we hired him before, he had already been an offensive coordinator at Utah. To get him to coach quarterbacks is great. He has grown and matured. We are unique here, how everyone does their role and does it to a high level… You can just see his professionalism and maturity there. He is a great coach… I don’t think he gets enough credit. I get credit but he does a lot… He doesn’t get enough credit for the work he does, he is a QB whisperer, too, I guess.
- On speed of the offense and balancing that out for the defense: When the Gators take the field, we aren’t three separate entities, we are one. So, with that being said, things can change in a game… If we need to put together a ball control drive, we can do that… If we need the ball back on defense, that adjusts things, the game can adjust the play calling.