Gators head coach Dan Mullen during Wednesday night's Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Photo: Courtney Culbreath/UAA Communications)
Carter's Corner: Mullen Makes Moves, Carter To Return, More Gators Tidbits
Saturday, January 2, 2021 | Football, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- In his postgame press conference after the Goodyear Cotton Bowl, Gators coach Dan Mullen was asked 11 questions.
No. 6 centered on Mullen's plans to evaluate his coaching staff after the season.
"I evaluate everything in our program,'' he responded after Florida's 55-20 loss to Oklahoma. "This season is now over officially, so I evaluate every aspect of our program as we move forward."
On Friday night as the College Football Playoff semifinals unfolded, reports surfaced that Mullen had moved forward -- and quickly.
In the most challenging season since World War II due to COVID-19, Florida's offense blossomed in 2020. The defense did not. The Gators allowed 28 touchdown passes in their 11 games, the most in the Southeastern Conference. Florida also surrendered 30.8 points per game, with repeated issues in slowing down the passing game. In 2019, the Gators finished seventh nationally in scoring defense (15.5 points per game).
Veteran coach Ron English, who just finished his third season, coached the safeties, while Torrian Gray returned to UF after the 2018 season and coached the cornerbacks the last two seasons.
For more headlines of interest to Gators fans, here are some fresh items from the internet:
-- A look at every position group heading into the offseason from Thomas Goldkamp of Swamp247.com.
-- Former Gators linebacker Jesiah Pierre has announced on social media that he is transferring to Texas Tech writes Zach Goodall of SI.com. Pierre signed with the Gators in 2019 out of Mount Dora Christian Academy. Here is an introductory story on him when he arrived for background.
-- Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi writes that in his view, college football coaches deserve a free pass this season due to the extenuating circumstances that defined the game in 2020.
-- UF veteran defensive tackle Kyree Campbell, who did not play in the Cotton Bowl, announced his departure on social media:
-- Another Gators defensive lineman, Zachary Carter, announced plans to return as an important piece to the 2021 defense:
No. 6 centered on Mullen's plans to evaluate his coaching staff after the season.
"I evaluate everything in our program,'' he responded after Florida's 55-20 loss to Oklahoma. "This season is now over officially, so I evaluate every aspect of our program as we move forward."
On Friday night as the College Football Playoff semifinals unfolded, reports surfaced that Mullen had moved forward -- and quickly.
#Gators secondary coaches Ron English, Torrian Gray fired amid staff shakeup, source confirms, first reported by @ThomasGoldkamp: https://t.co/3WapQ0a4p3 pic.twitter.com/oXR8vFTAAk
— Edgar Thompson (@osgators) January 2, 2021
In the most challenging season since World War II due to COVID-19, Florida's offense blossomed in 2020. The defense did not. The Gators allowed 28 touchdown passes in their 11 games, the most in the Southeastern Conference. Florida also surrendered 30.8 points per game, with repeated issues in slowing down the passing game. In 2019, the Gators finished seventh nationally in scoring defense (15.5 points per game).
Veteran coach Ron English, who just finished his third season, coached the safeties, while Torrian Gray returned to UF after the 2018 season and coached the cornerbacks the last two seasons.
For more headlines of interest to Gators fans, here are some fresh items from the internet:
-- A look at every position group heading into the offseason from Thomas Goldkamp of Swamp247.com.
-- Former Gators linebacker Jesiah Pierre has announced on social media that he is transferring to Texas Tech writes Zach Goodall of SI.com. Pierre signed with the Gators in 2019 out of Mount Dora Christian Academy. Here is an introductory story on him when he arrived for background.
-- Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi writes that in his view, college football coaches deserve a free pass this season due to the extenuating circumstances that defined the game in 2020.
-- UF veteran defensive tackle Kyree Campbell, who did not play in the Cotton Bowl, announced his departure on social media:
I Thank GOD because I can do all things through him 🙏🏾
— Kyree Campbell (@CampbellKyree13) December 31, 2020
Thank you Gator Nation it's been quite a ride 🐊🔶🔷 pic.twitter.com/pHN6OCDQzt
-- Another Gators defensive lineman, Zachary Carter, announced plans to return as an important piece to the 2021 defense:
To all my brothers.... Lets ride‼️‼️🤝 pic.twitter.com/A4TlTHkrt5
— Zachary L Carter (@Zachattacks_) December 31, 2020
Players Mentioned
Florida Football | Sean Kelley, Coach Sumrall, Coach Spurrier, and Coach Meyer
Friday, December 12
Florida Football | Head Coach Jon Sumrall Sits Down with Gator Greats Steve Spurrier and Urban Meyer
Friday, December 12
Florida Football | Urban Meyer & Nick Saban Interview | 2025 NFF Annual Awards Dinner
Wednesday, December 10
Coach Meyer and Coach Saban - Hall of Fame 12-09-25
Wednesday, December 10
