Dan Mullen seemed to be living the dream as a college football analyst for ESPN, but he’s opted to jump back into the demanding world of college football head coaching.
This past December, Mullen signed on with the UNLV Rebels, bringing an end to his three-year run as a notable television analyst. While his track record as a head coach at Mississippi State and Florida was fairly successful, he’d also carved out a reputation for himself in the media world. Analyzing games on TV is certainly no walk in the park, but it pales in comparison to the nonstop hustle and pressure that college football coaches endure.
So, what prompted Mullen to leave his comfortable analyst position? And perhaps just as intriguingly, why did he choose to lead UNLV—a team from the Mountain West Conference—after coaching in the high-profile SEC?
During a recent chat on “CFB with DP” alongside David Pollack, Mullen opened up about his choice. Evidently, it was a decision he needed to explain to his wife too.
He shared, “As my wife noted when we decided to leave the security of a good TV job and living at Reynolds on Lake Oconee, she asked, ‘And now we’re moving the family to Las Vegas? After turning down so many offers, why are you taking this one?’ My answer? When I look at today’s college football landscape, I’ve always felt UNLV is a sleeping giant. We’ve got a vibrant city, a wealth of football talent here in Las Vegas, and we’re within reach of places like Phoenix and LA—ideal for recruiting. The city itself offers everything you could need.”
Last season, the Rebels achieved an impressive 11-3 record under Barry Odom, who then headed to Purdue. Mullen brings to UNLV a wealth of experience from the SEC, with a track record of 103-61 and a 7-3 bowl game record. His stint at Florida might not have ended as planned, but he did deliver multiple seasons with over ten wins and always kept Mississippi State competitive.
By joining what he calls a “sleeping giant” at UNLV, Mullen could be the key to propelling the Rebels to the top of the Mountain West and possibly making a push for the College Football Playoff.
