GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Dan Mullen hit all the right notes during his introductory press conference on Monday, vowing to put the fun back in Florida football while embracing the sky-high expectations that come with coaching the Gators.
With former coach Steve Spurrier, former Gator players Shane Matthews and Chris Doering and others gathered in a standing-room only crowd, Mullen officially took the reins of a program in desperate need of leadership. Mullen walked away after nine seasons as head coach at Mississippi State to take a six-year deal that will pay him $6 million annually.
His new athletic director, Scott Stricklin, worked with him at Mississippi State, a natural connection.