WATCH: Dan Mullen shows awesome class, waits to embrace Mississippi State players after game

Saturday’s Florida-Mississippi State game was an emotional game for both teams. For Florida coach Dan Mullen (and many assistants) it was a return to Starkville, Miss. to face the program he helped build for nine seasons (2009-17). Mullen came away the winner, as UF won 13-6, but made sure to see his former players before going into celebration mode.

Many Bulldogs players and fans were rubbed the wrong way by Mullen’s sudden departure to take the Florida job. The ESPN broadcast noted that MSU QB Nick Fitzgerald recalled how Mullen had told him personally he wasn’t leaving only two days before the coach accepted the UF position. At least one restaurant in Starkville served alligator meat. A coffee shop trolled Mullen on its sign. An ice cream shop changed the name of Mullen’s order from “The Mullen” to “The Lateral Move.” Mullen was booed heavily. There were plenty of f-bombs sprinkled in.

While Bulldogs may have hated to see Mullen leave, there’s no doubt that Mullen still cared for the MSU players he recruited, signed and coached. After the game, reporter Brett Hudson captured video of Mullen hanging around for hugs and handshakes with his old team.

Some postgame embraces from Dan Mullen pic.twitter.com/WJH0A73JaE

— Brett Hudson (@Brett_Hudson) September 30, 2018

Andrew Olson

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.