Florida Fashioned: Why Dan Mullen is a Great Fit for the Gators

Dan Mullen is coy right now.

Mullen says he's happy there in Starkville at the moment.

He might be even happier when the call comes from Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley.

And that call is coming because Mullen in on Florida's short list of candidates to replace Urban Meyer.

Mullen isn't a good fit to replace Meyer, he's a great fit.

Consider these facts:

1. Mullen was with Meyer at Notre Dame, Bowling Green and Utah before Florida.

2. He was the quarterback coach for the 2004 unbeaten Utah team.

3. He was Florida's offensive coordinator for the two Gator national championships.

4. The Florida offense began to show signs of decline when Mullen left for Mississippi State. It wasn't as good in 2009 as it was the year before, and by this season, the offense was in total chaos.

5. Mullen understands the inner workings at Florida. He knows Foley, the program, the facilities, and most importantly, Mullen understands the recruiting base.

6. Mullen knows how develop talent at quarterback, and that is Florida's biggest need today.

7. Mullen knows the SEC well. He went 8-4 this year, including a 10-7 win over the Gators in Gainesville. He knew the program well enough to shut it down and win in the Swamp, where few teams win.

8  He understands how important it is to beat your main in-state rival. He won twice over Ole Miss.

9. He left on good terms with Meyer, who will no doubt have a major say in who succeeds him.

10. Re-read facts 1 thru 9.

Mullen has the enthusiasm and energy. Age is on his side, as he's not yet 40 and that will do him well with the "24-7" pressure that took its toll on Meyer.

This Florida job is one of the elite programs in the nation. It has few peers.

As Urban Meyer put it on Wednesday:

"Florida is Florida."

And while Mullen is in Starkville right now, he may not stay there if Florida comes calling.