Dan Mullen in talks to take over as UNLV coach, Rebels preparing to make major NIL commitment

Former Florida and Mississippi State head coach Dan Mullen is in talks to take over at UNLV, On3’s Pete Nakos reported. The Rebels are also preparing to make a major NIL and revenue-sharing commitment as part of their pursuit.

Mullen hasn’t coached since his departure from Florida after the 2021 season and spent the last two years as an analyst at ESPN, notably as a color commentator for the network’s Thursday night games alongside Matt Barrie. The Las Vegas Review-Journal previously reported Mullen as a name to watch in the search to replace Barry Odom, who left after two seasons to take over as the head coach at Purdue.

Part of UNLV’s pursuit of Mullen includes an NIL and revenue-share commitment, Nakos reported. The school is gearing up to roll out one of the top budgets in the Mountain West and, later, the Pac-12 once the Rebels make the move.

UNLV and Dan Mullen are in discussions about the Rebels head coaching vacancy, a source told @On3sports.

One point of emphasis has been a commitment to NIL and rev share, with UNLV prepared to roll out one of the highest NIL budgets in the MWC/Pac-12.https://t.co/Piw8LxJb6E pic.twitter.com/xggeqpi1P7

— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos_) December 12, 2024

After preliminary approval of the House v. NCAA settlement, schools are preparing for the revenue-sharing era in college athletics. If the settlement is fully approved in April, schools can directly share upward of $20 million with athletes. In 2025, that cap would be a projected $20.5 million.

During his time at Florida, Dan Mullen totaled a 34-15 record, including a 21-14 mark in SEC play. That came after nine seasons as the head coach at Mississippi State, where he went 69-46 and led the Bulldogs to a 10-win season in 2014.

Since his departure from Florida, Mullen’s name has come up in almost every coaching cycle. Still, he reiterated his love for the TV side of the game, though – doing so as recently as Nov. 21 during an appearance on The Paul Finebaum Show.

“I love doing the TV. I love the situation I’m at. You never say never to go back to coaching. It would have to be the right head coaching opportunity for me and my family,” Mullen said. “When you coach, you’re all in. It’s life-consuming. It consumes your life, your whole family’s life. So, if the right opportunity ever presented itself, you never know, I might go back. But I’m really enjoying this kind of media, TV life. And, being on your side of things.”