With the regular season ending today, the Florida Gators are really starting to ramp their search for the next head coach. A number of coaches have been linked to the job, and with favorite Chip Kelly taking the UCLA job instead, there are plenty of rumors to sort through regarding who they want to replace Jim McElwain. Here's all the latest you need to know:
Scott Frost's reps meet with Florida
UCF head coach Scott Frost is preparing his team for the AAC Championship Game on Saturday, but his reps met with Florida officials about their head coaching vacancy, according to ESPN.
Kelly was one of Florida's top targets along with Frost, and with Kelly now at UCLA, the Gators seem to be turning their full attention to Frost. However, the Gators do have some concerns about Frost and his ability to recruit at the SEC level.
USF head coach Charlie Strong is another backup option the Gators have their eye on.
Frost prefers Nebraska over Florida?
Nebraska also has Frost as their top candidate to replace Mike Riley, and if it comes down to a choice between the two jobs, Frost is expected to pick the Huskers, according to ESPN's Mark Schlabach.
“Somebody close to Frost has told me, if Tom Osborne comes calling, Frost is going to have a hard time turning down his alma mater,” Schlabach said on College Gameday.
Frost has led the Knights to a perfect 11-0 regular season record and a top 15 ranking. The former Nebraska quarterback has been the coach most linked to the Huskers head job, and they're reportedly ready to offer him a seven-year, $35 million deal.
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Dan Mullen not taking the Tennessee job
Mississippi State head coach Dan Mullen is not a candidate for the Florida job and reiterated on Thursday that he has no plans to leave Starkville.
"As I said, I'm very, very happy here," Mullen said after Mississippi State's Egg Bowl loss to Ole Miss. "I'm happy with what we've built, I have a great president (Mark Keenum) and great administration. You look at our fanbase and the program we've built, I think it's pretty special. I'm fortunate to be the head coach and (athletic director) John (Cohen) and Dr. Keenum have both told me they want me to continue to be the head coach here—before the game they did, we'll see what they say right now."
That's because the school plans to give him a pay raise and are going "all in" to keep him, according to Sports Illustrated's Bruce Feldman.
Mississippi State knows Dan Mullen is a pretty hot commodity these days and is prepared to “go all in” to try and keep him in Starkville, a source told SI Friday morning. The 45-year-old Mullen is already getting paid $4.5 million, but word is the school is willing to bump him up to around $6 million and also making an even stronger financial commitment to his staff.
Mullen is 69–46 in nine seasons with the Bulldogs, including an 8-4 mark this season.
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