Dan Mullen UNLV: Winning Style & Rebels Football
- After a stint as an ESPN analyst, Dan Mullen is back in college football, now leading the UNLV Rebels.
- He described feeling "more alive" when coaching, a sentiment that fueled his decision to accept the UNLV job.
- UNLV athletic director Erick Harper expressed excitement about the hire.
Dan Mullen’s return to college football as the UNLV Rebels head coach marks a major shift, detailed in this News Directory 3 exclusive. Mullen, after time in broadcasting, is back on the sidelines, fueled by his passion for coaching. Discover the factors that drew him to UNLV, including their facilities and potential for winning. Read about Erick Harper’s excitement, and Paul Guenther’s observations on Mullen’s renewed enthusiasm for the game. The article covers Mullen’s vision for the team, prioritizing conditioning and a fast-paced style, crucial for facing future challenges. Learn about Mullen’s motivations, his love for coaching, and his aspirations for the UNLV Rebels football program. Discover what’s next for the team.
Dan Mullen Returns to College Football as UNLV Rebels Head Coach
Updated june 10, 2025
After a stint as an ESPN analyst, Dan Mullen is back in college football, now leading the UNLV Rebels. mullen’s return marks a new chapter after his departure from Florida.
Mullen found himself drawn back to the sidelines. He described feeling “more alive” when coaching, a sentiment that fueled his decision to accept the UNLV job.
UNLV athletic director Erick Harper expressed excitement about the hire. He said other athletic directors were curious how he convinced Mullen to join the Rebels.
Mullen said several factors attracted him to UNLV. These included the program’s facilities, its proximity to a championship, and the quality of life in Las Vegas.
“I walked in front of the team and I said, ‘Boy, I feel like I feel more alive then I felt in the last three years.’ Because that’s who I am, to be in front of that team, talking to the team, coaching football,” Mullen said, recalling his first team meeting.
Paul Guenther, an NFL assistant and longtime freind of Mullen, noted a positive change in Mullen as his return to coaching. Guenther observed that Mullen seems happier back on the field.
What’s next
Mullen aims to build a conditioned and fast-moving team at UNLV. He emphasized the importance of mental and physical planning for the challenges ahead.