Dan Mullen responds to criticism of locker room celebration following win over FCS Samford

Florida Gators head coach Dan Mullen responded with incredulity this week to a question about his squad celebrating after Saturday’s win over Samford.

Fans criticized the team’s post-game locker room celebration after the program gave up 52 points – 42 of those coming in the first half – to an FCS school. The final score was an eye-popping 70-52.

“Is it a win worth celebrating?” Mullen repeated back to the reporter. “I’ve never won a game that wasn’t worth celebrating, and I’ve never celebrated a loss. I’ve never celebrated, what you guys call, ‘moral victories.’ I’ve never danced or cheered or celebrated a loss, but I will never not celebrate a victory and enjoy a victory. If we win 3-2 this week, we’ll be dancing in that locker room.”

The 5-5 Gators are still in pursuit of bowl eligibility with two games left in the season. Dan Mullen would like to hit that mark, especially for the development of his younger players who will get 15 more practices.

To get there, Florida needs a win this weekend over Missouri or a win next weekend versus in-state rival Florida State. The Gators are 8.5-point favorites on the road this weekend.

Mullen defends poor performance versus Samford

Florida’s game Saturday against FCS program Samford was the team’s first since head coach Dan Mullen made the decision to make midseason staff changes, which included the firing of Gators’ defensive coordinator Todd Grantham.

Although the SEC program was facing a lower-level opponent and was a 36.5-point favorite, Florida wasn’t at its best. They clearly struggled – especially on the defensive side of the ball.

After Mullen made the decision to fire Grantham, he announced that linebackers coach Christian Robinson would take over defensive playcalling. Mullen said that he was happy with the calls Robinson made after the game.

“Not the easiest game for Christian to get to call and deal in his first game when you’re playing a super up-tempo team that tries to snap the ball every 10 seconds to get all of that done,” Mullen said during his postgame press conference. “But I thought we got the calls in really fast. I didn’t think we were behind with calls in the game.”

No matter what Mullen says, his team was not good Saturday – no matter if it won 70-52 or not. The Gators have been a struggling program this season with losses to Kentucky, South Carolina and LSU.

In addition to Mullen firing Grantham, he also relieved offensive line coach John Hevesy of his duties. He moved Paul Pasqualoni – the special assistant to the head coach – into an on-the-field role. He also moved graduate assistant Michael Sollenne into a role working with the offensive linemen.

Florida’s season continues Saturday as the Gators travel to Missouri for their final SEC contest of the regular season.