GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Dan Mullen arrives at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium one morning in August looking like death warmed over. Florida's head football coach isn't doing a bad Ed Orgeron impression as he croaks hello, sounding as if he has gravel lodged in his windpipe. He has strep throat.
He trudges upstairs to his office and downs a packet of Vitamin C before heading next door to lead the daily staff meeting. When an athletic trainer provides an injury report, Mullen's eyes light up about a player who by all accounts should be back practicing but isn't available.