Just as an orchestra has a conductor, a football team also has a coach and both are tasked with the responsibility of directing the play of each section of the team. Like a traffic controller directing traffic and making sure there is no collision, a football team coach “directs” a team, making sure that everyone moves smoothly. Coaching is not one of the most glamorous jobs in the sport because coaches are expected to get the best out of every player on their roster. Even though players respond to different forms of motivation, Dan Mullen has mastered how to get the best out of his team.
Apart from their knowledge of the sport and creativity when it comes to tactics, they are also expected to be emotionally intelligent and great at working with others. It is one of the jobs in the world that demands so much range of skills from a person. However, some people have dedicated themselves to it because of their passion for the sport. One of those people, is Dan Mullen, the current head coach of the University of Florida.
Dan Mullen’s Biography
Before he became a coach, Mullen was a player. He played for the Trinity High School of Manchester, New Hampshire. He was a contributory factor in the school team’s state championship victory in 1988. Dan, who was born on April 27, 1972, played college football for two years for Ursinus College, Collegeville, Pennsylvania.
At college, he made the first-team All-Centennial Conference in his senior year. Knowing earlier on that he wanted to be a coach, he majored in Education and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in 1994. He took his education a little further and went to Wagner College to earn a Master’s degree. At Wagner, he coached the wide receivers as his first coaching experience and he graduated in 1996 with a master’s degree in Education.
Upon the completion of his formal education, Dan Mullen spent some time at the University of Florida as the Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach. He also spent some time at the University of Utah where he worked under legendary coach, Urban Meyer. He was the quarterback coach at Utah and was a significant contributor to their undefeated 2004 season.
Player development is an integral part of the coaching job and very early into his career as a coach, Mullen was already producing talented players. He is credited for the development of Alex Smith into a number 1 draft pick in the NFL Draft. During his time at Florida and Utah, he developed a few other notable names such as Brian Johnson, Chris Leak, Dak Prescott, Tim Tebow, and Josh Harris.
In 2008, December 11 to be precise, Mullen was hired to be the head coach of the Mississippi State University football team. He spent nine seasons with the team. Although he did not win any major laurels while he was in Mississippi, he raised the profile of the University’s football team in the country during his time at the team. He led the team to several big victories and in 2014, gave the team one of its greatest ever football seasons.
He finished the season with a 10-3 record, finishing 2nd on the Western standing, and took them to the Orange Bowl, the third Orange Bowl appearance in the school’s history. Unfortunately, the amazing season run ended with a loss to Georgia Tech. His performance in that season earned him the SEC coach of the year award and the George Munger Award. However, although he signed a new contract to lead the team from 2017 to 2021, Dan Mullen signed a deal to coach the Florida Gators on November 26, 2017.
As a head coach, it isn’t just the players whose careers are in your care to nurture. The coaching team is also the responsibility of the head coach and a successful coach helps his associates grow to earn their own jobs. Dan Mullen has tutored a few coaches to become NCAA head coaches like Carl Torbush and Geoff Collins.
How Much is His Salary?
Dan Mullen’s current contract earns him a $6 million in annual salary. He is the highest paid football coach in Florida and the fifth-highest in the entire country. His current net worth is estimated at $4.2 million. His high earning potential is due to his record as a nurturer of some of the most notable names in the NFL and an excellent coaching record.
Wife, Family
Coach Mullen is currently married to former Golf Channel star, Megan Mullen. The couple has been married since 2005 and has two beautiful children, Cannon, and Breelyn Mullen. However, while the couple has two children together, Dan has a child, Rowan from a previous relationship with a woman whose name is not public information at this point.
Other Facts About Dan Mullen
Before he started running plays on a board, he was a player and he played as a tight end.
He has a coaching record of 75 wins to 48 losses in the regular season and a Bowl record of 6 wins to 2 losses.
Due to his relationship with the football community of New Hampshire, he’s part of a group called The New Hampshire Mafia. It comprises of Chip Kelly and Gary Crowton.
