3 analysts Texas could hire with David Cutcliffe off the market

Dan Mullen, former Florida head coach

If he would be interested in trying to essentially get a stepping stone job this year before trying to become a head coach or coordinator with another Power Five program at some point in the future, the former Florida Gators head coach Dan Mullen could be an intriguing addition for the Longhorns.

Mullen was let go as Florida’s head coach following a tough end to their regular season in 2021. He would then be replaced by the former Louisiana head coach Billy Napier before Florida’s offseason arrived.

Yet, Mullen could still be a nice addition to the Longhorns offensive analyst staff if this position would interest him at all.

Not only could Mullen add some new ideas on the offensive side of the ball for the Longhorns, but he could also help prepare this program for the transition from the Big 12 to the SEC. Mullen spent essentially the last two decades coaching in the SEC between his time with Florida and the Mississippi State Bulldogs.

His run in the SEC started as Florida’s quarterbacks coach/offensive coordinator under their former head coach Urban Meyer in 2005. Mullen served as the QB coach/OC with the Gators for roughly four seasons before taking the head coaching job with Mississippi State in 2009.

That’s really where Mullen made a name for himself on a broad basis in the SEC when he was Mississippi State’s head coach until 2017. Mullen took the Mississippi State program to new heights, registering a record of 69-46 (.600 winning percentage) during his nearly decade-long run as their head coach.

It wouldn’t be unheard of for a recently departed head coach that hasn’t found his next role yet around the coaching landscape to take an analyst job with a blue blood like Texas.