Mullen discusses Gators’ recent off-field issues

Thursday, Florida Gator head football coach Dan Mullen spent more time defending himself following recent allegations of off-field issues for players.

The most recent fallout from the allegations was the transfer of freshman cornerback Chris Steele after he was reportedly uncomfortable being roommate to freshman quarterback Jalen Jones.

Jones has been accused of sexual battery after allegedly assaulting a female classmate. Jones has since elected to transfer to another school.

As a result, Steele has announced plans to transfer to Oregon.

It speaks to a potential culture in Gainesville that is somewhat accepting off accusations.

But, rather than addressing the allegations and recent fall-out from them, Mullen went on the attack, but he suggested it would “be hypocritical if you look at my history to say to that is a 100 percent deal.”

"“Obviously, anybody that knows me, I like to take an extremely strong stance on that,” Mullen said before a stop in Tampa for his annual booster tour. “I don’t see anything acceptable about that, any violence against women, whether it’s a violent act or a wrongful sexual act toward women. But I also like to have all the information before making final decisions.”"

But Jones isn’t the only member of the team in hot water.

Otis Yelverton, assistant director of player personnel was arrested for cyberstalking in April, according to the ESPN report. He allegedly “threatened to blow up his ex-girlfriend’s car on a voicemail.” Yelverton was arrested by Alachua County Sheriff’s deputies on a third-degree felony charge. He remains on the Gators’ staff.

Additionally, safety Brian Edwards was accused of grabbing his girlfriend by the next as she was trying to leave their apartment. He was arrested for battery and pled not guilty. While he has been suspended from team activities, he is still taking classes at Florida, according to ESPN.

Mullen suggested he was waiting for all the evidence in those cases before making any kind of personnel decision.

"“A lot of times you hear different sides to the story,” Mullen said. “I try not to be the judge on what is 100 percent the truth. My job’s not an investigator. … That’s the best way to make a decision, once you have all the information. It’s not always great to have to wait to get all the information, but it’s the best way to make a decision.”"

True. But, if you truly want to have a zero-tolerance policy in relation to violence toward women, you have to make hard decisions. Sometimes that means dismissing those who have been accused simply because they have been accused.

Law will suggest there has to be some kind of evidence of violence, battery or assault to bring about an arrest or charges.

It is incumbent on Mullen to take a stand here. Either have a zero-tolerance policy or don’t, but don’t say you abhor violence against women then let players and staff accused of doing just that stay with the program.

If violence against women is not tolerated and is, in fact, a “core value” of the program, then stick to that and send a message that it is not acceptable behavior. As a coach, it is your responsibility to help mold your players into better men.

Make sure you are setting that example now, and don’t wait for things to get worse.