Gators head coach Dan Mullen. (Photo: Tim Casey/UAA Communications)
Carter's Corner: Mullen Dishes on This and That
Wednesday, June 3, 2020 | Football, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Dan Mullen was back in a familiar place on Wednesday: his office at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium and in front of a computer camera.
Mullen is among the first wave of University Athletic Association employees who returned to campus this week with COVID-19 safeguards in place. Meanwhile, as the Gators prepare for the start of voluntary workouts on June 8 – players continue to be tested for the coronavirus and undergo standard physical examinations this week – Mullen joined former NFL punter Pat McAfee on "The Pat McAfee Show" Wednesday.
Earlier in the day, Mullen participated in a UAA initiative with fellow UF head coaches and Athletic Director Scott Stricklin in signing an open letter from the organization to recommit to a deeper accountability and understanding of racial and social injustices, particularly those related to UF student-athletes.
Mullen was asked by McAfee what his message to the team has been during a tumultuous week across the country.
"Our guys have a feel,'' he said. "I think when you're in that locker room, when you're around all the different guys, it is different. I wish some of that, more of that, would get out into society, that feeling, that togetherness, that teamness. You can't put yourselves in other people's shoes and know how they feel, know how they think, and know how it is. But I think it's important to respect other people in that way. It's important to respect what it must be like to go through that."
Mullen joined McAfee in the second half of the show, following an appearance by big league pitcher Trevor Bauer. You can watch his interview starting around the 1:44.00 mark in the YouTube video below:
Another topic he discussed was the return of players for voluntary workouts.
"We don't have everybody coming back and I'm great with that. Guys are kind of in a routine at home and they feel comfortable with their settings, they feel they are going to be able to take care of themselves there,'' he said. "Even though we can come back and have voluntary workouts, we're still going to be in virtual meetings. For us, hopefully it continues to progress in that direction."
Mullen also addressed how he has managed the team during the coronavirus pandemic.
"We've done a lot. As a coach, you are trying to mix things up, keep everybody engaged, keep everybody focused on our goal of trying to become a better football team,'' Mullen said. "We have had a lot of guest speakers from all walks of life. Motivational speakers. All kinds of different things, and then a lot of football meetings."
There was football talk, too, and Mullen had some fun.
McAfee: "Coach, I assume you guys are going to go undefeated this year?"
Mullen: "You know what, when I look at our schedule every year, I assume we are. I don't circle a game and go, 'we're not going to win that one.' If I looked at it that way and said, 'hey, I don't see us winning that game,' I guess I would tell the coaches, 'hey, why don't you guys go home.'
"People have to understand there is a big difference between confidence and cockiness. I expect us to go undefeated this year. I'm not guaranteeing it because I'll be honest with you, I have two national championship rings here at the University of Florida and we didn't go undefeated in either of those two seasons."
Check out the interview with McAfee for more if you need a football fix.
Mullen is among the first wave of University Athletic Association employees who returned to campus this week with COVID-19 safeguards in place. Meanwhile, as the Gators prepare for the start of voluntary workouts on June 8 – players continue to be tested for the coronavirus and undergo standard physical examinations this week – Mullen joined former NFL punter Pat McAfee on "The Pat McAfee Show" Wednesday.
Earlier in the day, Mullen participated in a UAA initiative with fellow UF head coaches and Athletic Director Scott Stricklin in signing an open letter from the organization to recommit to a deeper accountability and understanding of racial and social injustices, particularly those related to UF student-athletes.
Mullen was asked by McAfee what his message to the team has been during a tumultuous week across the country.
"Our guys have a feel,'' he said. "I think when you're in that locker room, when you're around all the different guys, it is different. I wish some of that, more of that, would get out into society, that feeling, that togetherness, that teamness. You can't put yourselves in other people's shoes and know how they feel, know how they think, and know how it is. But I think it's important to respect other people in that way. It's important to respect what it must be like to go through that."
Mullen joined McAfee in the second half of the show, following an appearance by big league pitcher Trevor Bauer. You can watch his interview starting around the 1:44.00 mark in the YouTube video below:
Another topic he discussed was the return of players for voluntary workouts.
"We don't have everybody coming back and I'm great with that. Guys are kind of in a routine at home and they feel comfortable with their settings, they feel they are going to be able to take care of themselves there,'' he said. "Even though we can come back and have voluntary workouts, we're still going to be in virtual meetings. For us, hopefully it continues to progress in that direction."
Mullen also addressed how he has managed the team during the coronavirus pandemic.
"We've done a lot. As a coach, you are trying to mix things up, keep everybody engaged, keep everybody focused on our goal of trying to become a better football team,'' Mullen said. "We have had a lot of guest speakers from all walks of life. Motivational speakers. All kinds of different things, and then a lot of football meetings."
There was football talk, too, and Mullen had some fun.
McAfee: "Coach, I assume you guys are going to go undefeated this year?"
Mullen: "You know what, when I look at our schedule every year, I assume we are. I don't circle a game and go, 'we're not going to win that one.' If I looked at it that way and said, 'hey, I don't see us winning that game,' I guess I would tell the coaches, 'hey, why don't you guys go home.'
"People have to understand there is a big difference between confidence and cockiness. I expect us to go undefeated this year. I'm not guaranteeing it because I'll be honest with you, I have two national championship rings here at the University of Florida and we didn't go undefeated in either of those two seasons."
Check out the interview with McAfee for more if you need a football fix.
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