Dan Mullen: 5 Reasons He'll Be the Next Florida Head Coach

Dan Mullen may be preparing Mississippi State for a bowl game, but now he'll be getting some phone calls from his former employer.

The Bulldogs head coach has already been named as a possible candidate for the head coaching vacancy at Miami. But now the rumor mill could intensify after Florida coach Urban Meyer announced today he is stepping down following the Outback Bowl.

The Gators are one of college football's premiere programs and can have their pick of candidates. Mullen, though, stands at the top of the list.

Here are five reasons why he will become Florida's next head coach.

5. A Meyer Protege

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GAINESVILLE, FL - OCTOBER 16: Coach Dan Mullen of the Mississippi State Bulldogs questions a call during play against the Florida Gators October 16, 2010 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Mullen was with Urban Meyer when he still coached at Utah.

From 2005 to 2008, he served as Florida's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach and was a key part of the Gators winning two national championships during that span.

4. Quarterback Guru

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STARKVILLE, MS - OCTOBER 24: Quarterback Tim Tebow # 15 of the Florida Gators and Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Dan Mullen greet one another following the game, at Davis Wade Stadium on October 24, 2009 in Starkville, Mississippi (Photo by Rick

Dan Mullen has done wonders with quarterbacks wherever he's gone and could do the same with John Brantley and Trey Burton.

At Bowling Green, he worked with Josh Harris, who threw for 2,425 yards and rushed for 787 in 2002. After that, at Utah, he coached Alex Smith, a Heisman Trophy finalist and No.1 pick in the NFL Draft.

Of course, at Florida, it was Tim Tebow.

3. Great Recruiter

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TUSCALOOSA, AL - NOVEMBER 13: Coach Dan Mullen of the Mississippi State Bulldogs shakes hands with coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide November 13, 2010 at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Besides being a great coach, Mullen also was instrumental as a recruiter at Florida. The school wouldn't miss a beat and would still be able to land the nation's best talent.

2. Part of the Family

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TUSCALOOSA, AL - NOVEMBER 13: Coach Dan Mullen of the Mississippi State Bulldogs directs play against the Alabama Crimson Tide November 13, 2010 at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Schools do it all the time.

You have a vacancy? Fill it with someone from the family.

Mullen fits the description. It makes perfect sense and would be a smooth transition.

1. Been in the Battles

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STARKVILLE, MS - OCTOBER 24: Head coach Dan Mullen of the Mississippi State Bulldogs, during pre game warm up against the Florida Gators, at Davis Wade Stadium on October 24, 2009 in Starkville, Mississippi (Photo by Rick Dole/Getty Images)

It's a big risk when you bring in a coach who's not familiar with the talent level and play in the Southeastern Conference. You wouldn't have to worry about that with Dan Mullen.