Former Florida football, current UNLV coach Dan Mullen named FWAA first-year coach of year
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
Former Florida football coach Dan Mullen earned a national honor on Thursday, Jan. 15, for his return to the college coaching ranks.
Mullen was named Steve Spurrer-First Year Coach of the Year by the Football Writers Association of America for his performance in his first season at UNLV.
The 53-year-old Mullen guided UNLV to a 10-4 record, reaching the Mountain West Conference finals before falling 38-21 to Boise State.
In year one at UNLV, Mullen helped develop record-setting UNLV quarterback Anthony Colandrea, who earned Mountain West offensive player of the year honors by passing for 3,459 yards with 23 TDs to 9 interceptions. Colandrea also rushed for 649 yards and 10 TDs.
Mullen coached the Florida Gators from 2018-21, going 34-15 overall and leading UF to three straight New Years Six Bowl trips. Prior to that, Mullen had success in the SEC, going 69-46 in nine seasons at Mississippi State.
Mullen worked as a quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator under former UF coach Urban Meyer at Bowling Green, Utah and Florida from 2001-08.
In addition to Mullen, Vanderbilt's Clark Lea was named the Eddie Robinson National Coach of the Year, while Miami receiver Malachi Toney earned FWAA national offensive freshman of the year honors. Georgia defensive back Ellis Robinson IV was named FWAA national defensive freshman of the year and Colorado return specialist Quentin Gibson earned FWAA special teams player of the year.
Kevin Brockway is The Gainesville Sun’s Florida beat writer. Contact him at kbrockway@usatodayco.com. Follow him on X @KevinBrockwayG1. Read his coverage of the Gators’ national championship basketball season in “CHOMP-IONS!” — a hardcover coffee-table collector’s book from The Sun. Details at Florida.ChampsBook.com
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: UNLV coach and former Florida football coach Dan Mullen earns coaching honor
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos