Florida Football: Kirby Smart takes jab at Dan Mullen

One of the topics of discussion one will find on Twitter/X is whether or not Florida football should have kept Dan Mullen longer. We here at Hail Florida Hail are on record that Mullen needed to go, and the fact that he is content sitting in a TV studio is emblematic of why.

Following their 42-20 defeat to the Georgia Bulldogs, Kirby Smart had to ensure he got in one last parting shot toward the former Gators head coach.

Florida Football: Recruiting season

It’s always awkward hearing Mullen analyze the Gators on ESPN when he ignores the active role he had in leaving Florida football in the mess it’s in. At the center of the mess was the fact that his recruiting wasn’t up to par to build a championship-level squad.

Turns out, it’s not just fans musing that Mullen wasn’t great at recruiting. Other coaches knew it, too.

Mullen was one of the only media personalities to pick Florida prior to the game to beat Georgia. Smart was asked about that prediction after the game.

"“I don’t see it or hear it. But I know it’s out there. Someone texted me before the game “All these people predicting we’re not going to win today,” and I’m like golly. Where is that coming from? (Mullen) is supposed to be my friend. He didn’t like to recruit though.”"

Whether there was malice behind the comment or it was in jest, it’s saying the quiet part out loud that everyone in the SEC knows. Mullen didn’t recruit at a level that would beat Georgia with any consistency. If one wonders why Gator fans are willing to give Napier a longer leech despite back-to-back 20+ point defeats to the Bulldogs, it’s because recruiting is at a level that hasn’t been seen in Gainesville for over a decade.