Mullen reflects on early college football firings: ‘It’s always tough’
Summary
UNLV head coach Dan Mullen commented on the early-season dismissals at major programmes after UCLA and Virginia Tech both moved on from their coaches following 0-3 starts. Mullen, who has been hired to replace fired coaches and has also been let go himself, said such decisions are hard and can disrupt players and the wider structure of a programme.
The story highlights UNLV’s 30-23 win over UCLA that left the Rebels 3-0, Mullen’s warning that very early firings can hinder player development, and UNLV’s ongoing penalty problem (averaging 104 yards per game). Mullen reiterated his commitment to UNLV, previewed the upcoming game at Miami (Ohio), and even mentioned taking his players to the Terence Crawford–Canelo Alvarez fight as a notable team experience.
Key Points
- Mullen sympathised with coaches let go early in the season, calling it “always tough.”
- UCLA fired DeShaun Foster and Virginia Tech dismissed Brent Pry after 0-3 starts.
- UNLV defeated UCLA 30-23 and is 3-0 under Mullen’s tenure.
- Mullen warned early firings can unsettle players and complicate development within a programme.
- UNLV averages 104 penalty yards per game—last among FBS teams—and Mullen wants to reduce controllable, emotional infractions.
- Next up: UNLV at Miami (Ohio) at 9 a.m. Saturday on ESPNU; Rebels are slight favourites.
Why should I read this?
Short and to the point: if you follow UNLV or the coaching merry-go-round in college football, this gives you the coach’s perspective without the fluff. It tells you how early firings ripple through a team, flags UNLV’s penalty worry and previews the next game — all in a few quick paragraphs. We’ve saved you the scrolly bits.
Context and relevance
The piece is relevant because early-season firings are a growing trend that affects recruiting, team morale and programme stability. For UNLV fans, local media followers and regional bettors, Mullen’s comments and the team’s penalty issues are practical indicators of how the Rebels might perform in the short term. It also illustrates the constant pressure on Power Four coaches to deliver immediate results.
