Florida players reflect on what Dan Mullen has brought to Gator program after replacing Jim McElwain
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While Dan Mullen returned to Gainesville with an excellent reputation as a head coach, playcaller and quarterback developer, the expectations weren’t universally high for his first Gator team heading into the season. Following a nine-win season and a berth in the Peach Bowl, where Florida can win its 10th game of the season, Mullen immediately showed what a difference he can make for the Gator program.
Keep in mind, this team missed postseason entirely last season under Jim McElwain. While many assumed the Gators would return to a bowl under Mullen, few, if any, predicted Florida to be in the discussion to be ranked in the top 10 by season’s end.
What exactly has Mullen brought to Gainesville that’s made such a difference? A few of his players were asked that question during their latest Peach Bowl media availability.
“Yeah. I think it’s been fun. Obviously, like I said before, I mean, just like last year’s season compared to this year’s season is like night and day,” starting quarterback Feleipe Franks said. “It’s just a fun experience for us to go out there and win big-time games and get the program back to where it needs to be at. That’s always a fun experience when you go out there on Saturdays, you expect to win.
“We won some big-time games this year, Mississippi State, LSU. Been on the big stage and we’ve won a lot of those games. And like I said, it’s just been fun. It’s been a fun turnaround. Like I said, our team’s had nothing but resilience from last season, knowing how good of a team we had.”
Without a doubt, no player benefitted more from the coaching change than Franks. While he had his share of ups and downs this season under Mullen, Franks was seen by many as a QB without any future under McElwain. Mullen got enough out of Franks this season to put the team in the discussion for the SEC East division title heading into the Georgia game.
“It’s crazy what a new program and new mentality can bring into a program, can change a team. That’s what it did for us,” Franks added.
Mullen deserves all the praise he receives as a quarterback whisperer, but his offenses are led by a physical and punishing running attack. Jordan Scarlett certainly benefitted from being utilized in the system this season and is appreciative that Mullen is now his head coach.
“I’d say the difference between Coach Mac and Coach Mullen, I’ll say, is the way Coach Mullen instills in us how you’ve got to go hard, taking a rep at practice or anything,” Scarlett said. “He always stresses, whatever you do, do it your best, go as hard as you can.
“Once we started gaining that mentality as a team, it made us do a lot of things better on the field, in the game, and practice better. Making it a routine, being a champion all the time. He said being a champion is not a sometimes thing. I feel it’s a true statement. I feel that’s the difference between Coach Mac.”
A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Michael Wayne Bratton oversees the news coverage for Saturday Down South. Michael previously worked for FOX Sports and NFL.com
