Florida Gators football: 5 candidates to replace Jim McElwain

GAINESVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 30: Florida Gators tight end C'yontai Lewis (80) celebrates a touchdown with fans during the game between the Vanderbilt Commodores and the Florida Gators on September 30, 2017 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Florida Field in Gainesville, Fl. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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Mandatory Credit: Tim Warner/Getty Images /

1. Dan Mullen

Mullen’s ties to Gainesville were already pretty deep, as offensive coordinator at Florida from 2005-2008. But Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin was Mullen’s boss at Mississippi State from 2010-2016, and he was also an associate AD there when Mullen was hired as head coach in 2009.

Now in his ninth season at Mississippi State, Mullen has a 67-44 record and will lead the Bulldogs to an eighth straight bowl appearance this year (6-2 record right now). Bowl appearances don’t mean what they used to years ago, but Mullen’s current run in Starksville is notable.

Mullen gets a lot of credit, even now, for his work with Tim Tebow at Florida. But his more recent work with a quarterback is on display every Sunday, with Dak Prescott making a nice transition to the next level. Suffice to say it’s been a little while since Florida sent a quarterback to the NFL, let alone one that seems to have staying power. While that shouldn’t be a huge factor in Mullen’s candidacy, he has at least done that lately.

Next: 5 candidates to be next Oregon State head coach

Mullen will automatically be on the list of candidates to take over at Florida, and there’s every reason to think they want him. It will likely come down to his desire to leave Mississippi State, or lack thereof.

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