Florida dismisses Dan Mullen as head coach
Dan Mullen is out as Florida's head coach, athletic director Scott Stricklin announced Sunday.
Running backs coach and special teams coordinator Greg Knox will serve as the Gators' interim coach.
Florida has lost five straight contests to Power 5 opponents and four consecutive against SEC competition following Saturday's 24-23 defeat to Missouri.
The Gators are 5-6 in 2021 and 5-9 against Power 5 competition since the start of the 2020 campaign.
Florida hired Mullen away from Mississippi State in 2017 to replace Jim McElwain after Mullen posted a 69-46 record with the Bulldogs.
Florida will pay Mullen a $12-million buyout over seven installments, according to Mark Long of The Associated Press.
"My family and I thank you for the honor of being your head football coach," Mullen wrote in a farewell letter.
Mullen leaves Gainesville with a 34-15 record. He faced scrutiny this season as Florida struggled against conference competition, dropping six games to SEC members. Its only wins came against Tennessee and Vanderbilt.
The 49-year-old also came under fire for his recruiting efforts following a 34-7 defeat to rival Georgia.
Mullen fired defensive coordinator Todd Grantham and offensive line coach John Hevesy earlier in November after a 40-17 defeat to South Carolina.
The Gators will attempt to gain bowl eligibility on Nov. 27 when they face Florida State.