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UNLV AD says program only has funds to pay 2 seasons of Dan Mullen’s contract
By Andrew Olson
Published:
Dan Mullen is back coaching college football, agreeing to a 5-year deal at UNLV worth $17.5. UNLV, though, only currently has the funds to pay Mullen for 2 seasons.
Mick Akers of the Las Vegas Review-Journal notes that UNLV athletic director Erick Harper was asked by regent Joseph Arrascada about the athletic department’s debt situation and paying Mullen.
Because you have $3.5 million for five years … you’re running nearly $30 million in the red,” Arrascada said. “What is the plan to pay the coach, and how is it going to get done.
Harper acknowledged that the athletic department cannot currently cover all 5 seasons.
We have the funds to pay the coach over the next two years,” Harper said. “We have been working with our donors to assist with philanthropic dollars. We have one that has already paid their commitment, and that money is in an unrestricted line and that will be utilized in the future to help with the salaries.
Per Akers, Harper expressed hopes that the program can raise funds through donations and increased revenues under Mullen to help pay the coach’s salary.
UNLV will be Mullen’s 3rd head coaching gig and his first outside of the SEC. He led Mississippi State from 2009-17, posting a 69-46 overall record and 33-39 mark in SEC play. Mullen left MSU after the 2017 season to take the head coaching job at Florida. Mullen led the Gators for 4 seasons, going 34-15 overall and 21-14 in conference competition. UF parted with Mullen before the final regular-season game of the 2021 season.
Mullen, who turns 53 in April, was an analyst for ESPN from 2022-24.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
