BUDDY MARTIN BLOG: Happy Days Were Here Again. Then All Of A Sudden They Were Not-So-Happy Days

Tough days for Scott Stricklin on what started out to be a promising run. (Chris Spears photo)

The story that ensued for the next 48 months began with what appeared to be an epic transformation of a once-great program into a torrid love affair with its new coach, but later sunk into an inexplicable free fall that now appears to be hovering over a Dempster Dumpster of flames.

How Dan Mullen Was Hired

It was four years ago this week -- somewhat by accident and maybe a little extra hustle by my son Brenden and our pal Bubba in Gainesville – that we struck upon the national news story about Chip Kelly having met with Scott Stricklin and his team, which was attempting to fly under the radar back to Ocala. Until we sort of unintentionally ambushed them.

What we didn’t know that night was whether the deal had been struck with Kelly as verbal and non-binding, or whether the plane landing at Ocala International would contain Florida’s next coach all signed, sealed and delivered. Or that if Scott Frost or Chip Kelly was plan A or plan B.

What we found out later was that the next coach of the Gators, Plan C, would arrive at the Gainesville Airport a few days later on Nov. 27, 2017, chomping, smiling and wearing his championship ring, ready to let the good times roll.

It wasn’t so much a case of Stricklin feeling his former coach at Mississippi State was the third best candidate, but out of professional courtesy he didn’t want to steal Dan Mullen, his alma mater’s coach, until he was down to his third choice. And then it was suggested by his boss, President Kent Fuchs that he consider that option.

When Stricklin called the Mullen household in Starkville and made the offer, Megan Mullen said she’d never seen such an expression of joy and radiance on her husband’s face -- and she knew right then “we were going to University of Florida.” That joy radiated throughout the house and became an infusion of badly needed fresh air into Gator Nation, seemingly beginning to offset the gloom and doom around a program that was the residue of the failed Jim McElwain experiment.

The story that ensued for the next 48 months began with what appeared to be an epic transformation of a once-great program into a torrid love affair with its new coach, but later sinking into an inexplicable free fall that now appears to be hovering over a Dempster Dumpster of flames. (For the record, I am not among those endorsing the latter thought.)

Are Gator fans better, or worse for it?

Mullen and family arrive in Gainesville

Dan Mullen’s team made a run at national champion Alabama not once, but twice. The first in the 2020 SEC Championship Game, losing only by a touchdown.

Nay'Quan Wright got tough yardage vs. The Tide. Despite playing them tough twice, Dan Mullen's team got nothing out of it but respect. (Photo by Chris Spears)

What Dan Mullen said after Florida lost the SEC Championship game against Alabama And again, in the third game of the 2021 regular season, losing only by two points. If there’s any calculus applicable here, one could deduce that the next time Florida played Alabama – which presumably would have been in this year’s SEC title game — the Gators would win. No. 1 Alabama hangs on, holds off No. 11 Florida's rally

So what happened? What’s next? We’re still trying to figure it all out.

Whatever the narrative might have been when Florida stepped up to challenge ‘Bama and nearly beat the national champions has not only changed, but went in the completely opposite direction. And now frustrated and confused Gator fans are living in a Cone of Uncertainty almost as big as when Stricklin stepped off that plane in Ocala empty handed four years ago.

Did Dan Mullen become a lousy coach in just eight weeks? Will he survive if he doesn’t win one more game and make it to a bowl game? Any bowl game?

Seven games later Dan Mullen is left fighting for his football coaching life. The same Dan Mullen that got off the plane that day in Gainesville smiling, chomping and flashing that 2008 national championship ring he earned as Urban Meyer’s offensive coordinator.

BTW, Mullen might eventually survive because of the shortage of great coaching candidates and the insane amount of money ($96M to Mel Tucker, Michigan State) being worked up for restructured contracts just to keep what they’ve got. When exactly did that school in East Lansing become Alabama? Report: Florida will not fire Dan Mullen during regular season

Which causes me to wonder: If Mullen had beaten either Alabama or Georgia and won six of the remaining games, would Stricklin be forking over a couple more million just to keep him in Gainesville?

Those who worship at the feet of Jimmy Sexton contracts gotta know: Jimmy may giveth, but Jimmy also taketh away.

It's Jimmy Sexton's movie and the rest of CFB is just in it. (Photo Courtesy WKNO)

Things are completely out of hand in the wild, wild west of college sports. I hear you disgruntled Gator Nation fans and I get it: You’re all sick of this morass of greed and wonder if there’s really any honor among thieves anymore. You can take your Name/Image/Likeness deals and stick them up your nostril! you are probably saying. Why can’t we recruit better football players? you ask. The transfer portal? Hey, if they can steal our players, we need to steal more of theirs! AND GET OFF MY LAWN!

It’s called market price. If Mullen goes, Florida will be leveraged by the Jimmy Sextons of the world for even more than the $7.6 million a season by the next coach. And Dan Mullen will only be unemployed, maybe, through the Christmas holidays before he’s snapped up.

Don't want Mullen? OK, are you prepared to pay the next guy 8-9 Million? (Chris Spears Photo)

Let me explain “Market Price." I once took my beloved brother-in-law from Ocala to dinner in Denver with the caveat he’d pay for the four of us before I had to hustle out to cover an NBA game. My sister and wife decided the lobster looked good, so we all four ordered it, listed on the menu at “Market Price.” It was scrumptious, so when I finished early and departed for the arena, they brought the bill to my brother-in-law (may he rest in peace.) The “Market Price” was $45 apiece – and that was 40 years ago! He literally almost choked, but paid the bill. As punishment, every time we all went dinner for the next 25 years he’d be sure to shout out to the ladies: “MARKET PRICE!”

Another example: How much is your home worth today vs. what it was two or three years ago? You can sell it at a huge profit, but then you’d have to find another place to live at about the same price unless you are willing to downsize. I don’t think the University of Florida is looking to downsize its football program.

It’s not about money for the Gators? you say. Really? Then how come Florida was among the last to upgrade its facilities – which also was costly in the “Shiny New Thing” department of recruiting – and is only now finally closing in on a new one by next year. Where did that money come from? My experience says it’s always about the money.

Yes, it’s true UF is a rich school with its coffers filled by TV dollars and more to come as the take grows through SEC and Playoff Expansion these next few years. That new money is already budgeted. However, shiny new things come from rich contributors who want their name on things and a seat at the table when it comes time to hire a new coach. Or to fire one.

I don’t know the exact number of the buyout on Mullen – I’ve heard everything from $6M to $12M to $24M – but no doubt a conversation is taking place now among the muckety-mucks and the hat is being passed. Reluctantly, I share this tidbit as told to me by a muckety muck: They only need another couple million more in blood money to make it happen. But PLEASE don’t pass that along as fact – just as a topic of one conversation.

It would be a sad day if Mullen is sent to the gallows, because he’s a good coach who got caught in an unexpected storm that resulted in a downward spiral. But it’s also a case of hard reality: He is to blame for the mess. If he loses the next two games he’s probably not going to survive. If he wins one of them then maybe. And then he would live to fight other day. He has to finish owning his part in this and rally a group of hot shot recruiters who can sell -- well, you know the one about selling ice.

My best guess is that he'll hire a new DC with a longer contract than his for about $1.5M or more and get at least part of the 2022 season to prove he can -- or can't -- turn it around. Like Brian Kelly did at Notre Dame. And maybe like his basketball counterpart Mike White may yet do.

Ironically, in the end, Dan Mullen might be protected by the unintended consequence of “Market Price.”