Mullen to coach BCS game

The new head coach at Mississippi State is going to be calling the offensive plays for Florida in the BCS Championship Game in Miami on Jan. 8.

At least that's the plan, UF coach Urban Meyer said Tuesday in announcing that Dan Mullen would remain with the Gators through the national title game before moving on to his new job full time.

"I think he's going to coach," Meyer said. "I talked to him yesterday, and right now, the plan is for him to come back after Christmas. We've talked about it. The goal is to win the game.

"Right now, unless something changes, it looks like that's going to happen. It's the best chance of winning that game with the mechanics of the game the way we do them. The plan is for him to be up in the press box and we're going to be ready to go."

When asked if he thought Mullen would be 100-percent focused on the championship game, Meyer said. "He wouldn't be coaching the game (if he wasn't)."

Meyer said the Gators are in the early stages of preparation for the game with Oklahoma, and that the emphasis at the moment is on recruiting. Meyer said Mullen is currently in Mississippi working at his new job with the Bulldogs, but that he should be back handling his duties for the Gators after Christmas, when serious preparation for the game begins.

"That's not a priority right now," Meyer said. "The key factor is to win this game. I have great confidence (it will work out). The good thing is we have one of the great offensive staffs in the game.

"This is not a dictatorship or a one-man circus. The plays are scripted. Dan does a tremendous job.

"I understand this is like taking a life of it's own on what's going to happen. We're going to be OK. We're going to run the same offense. He's the third coordinator I've had, and we've been blessed, they've all turned out to be head coaches and very good coaches. The fourth one will and probably the fifth and the sixth if I'm still alive."

Four years ago, when Meyer took the head coaching job at Florida, he returned to coach Utah in the Fiesta Bowl, and the Utes won the game.

Meyer said Mullen's relationship with quarterback Tim Tebow played a role in the decision for Mullen to coach in the national title game.

"Yeah, that's all the above," Meyer said.

As for hiring a full-time replacement for Mullen, Meyer said he was going to take his time and find the best possible coach for the job.

"We're not changing what we do (in terms of the offense)," Meyer said. "I'm not interested in a guy that's going to sit there and nod his head, yes. I want a guy who's going to have input. We're looking for great chemistry and a great recruiter who is going to represent this university very well. I'm probably going to get someone I know. We're going to do what we do."

Meyer said a candidate could emerge on his current staff, but he also will explore other candidates before making a hire.

In other news, star junior wide receiver Percy Harvin has submitted paperwork to the NFL to find out where he would project to go in the draft next spring. Most draft analyst list Harvin as a possible high first-round selection.

"He's done the paperwork," said strength and conditioning coordinator Mickey Marotti, who serves as a liaison with the NFL.

Marotti said quarterback Tim Tebow and middle linebacker Brandon Spikes have not inquired about the NFL yet, although he has an upcoming meeting set with Spikes.

"They're still talking among themselves," Marotti said. "They need to talk to position coaches and family first. (Tebow) got back (from the Heisman ceremony) and trained. We haven't had a chance to talk."