Urban Meyer Leaving Florida: Why Dan Mullen Will Replace Replace Him

Dan Mullen is the best fit to replace Urban Meyer as the head football coach at the University of Florida. Meyer, of course, is stepping down after six seasons on the Gators' sideline. 

Mullen, the head coach at Mississippi State, served as offensive coordinator under Meyer before leaving last year. Mullen had much success at Florida, where his offenses were the key to the Gators' 2006 and 2008 national championships. The Gators' transition from Meyer to Mullen would be as painless as any and leave the Gators as contenders in the SEC again next year. 

According to multiple sources, Miami has been in touch with Mullen about the Hurricanes' head coaching job, but Florida is the ideal place for him. 

As offensive coordinator for Florida from 2005 to 2008, Mullen made the Gators one of the most explosive offenses in the nation. In 2007 and 2008, the Gators ranked third in the country with 42.3 and 45.2 points per game, respectively. 

In his second year as head coach at Mississippi State, Mullen's success continued. He led the Bulldogs to an 8-4 record in the rugged SEC and gave top-ranked Auburn its toughest game of the season. 

If Mullen does end up in Gainesville, it would be ideal for the Gators. Mullen would return to the staff he once worked on, and he would do so with head coaching experience under his belt. 

Florida should act swiftly in bringing Mullen back to avoid any damages on the recruiting front after Meyer leaves. Meyer is slated to remain with the team through its bowl appearance against Penn State in the Outback Bowl on Jan. 1.

Mullen will coach Mississippi State against Michigan in, of all things, the Gator Bowl.