Like just about everyone else around college football, UF coach Dan Mullen was stunned by the news out of Columbus, Ohio, on Wednesday that Urban Meyer had been placed on paid leave by Ohio State.
The school is looking into whether Meyer lied about saying he did not know assistant coach Zach Smith had allegedly battered his wife in 2015.
“I sent him a text last night just saying he and the family were in our prayers because I know we’ve been very close,” Mullen said. “I’ve just seen a couple of the headlines here and there because we’re getting ready for training camp right now.
“He and the family are very close to my family, so our prayers are with them as they go through all of this.”
While he was the head coach at Florida, Meyer had a policy that if a player struck or battered a female, he would be tossed from the team.
Mullen said his policy is about the same.
“It’s very similar to what it was,” he said. “We believe in all that. Domestic violence is a problem, something that has to be taken very seriously. Not just in today’s world.
“It should always be taken seriously, but I think it’s come more to the forefront in today’s world, become more of a public issue.”
Mullen on guns
In light of receiver Kadarius Toney being found with a loaded AR-15 rifle in the back seat of his car during a traffic stop in July (Gainesville police did not cite Toney because the weapon was not concealed and was not “on or about” him, which would have violated the state’s open-carry law), Mullen was asked if he has a gun policy for his players.
His answer was, well, a little confusing.
“I have a no-weapons policy,” he said. “But it’s not like you’re not allowed to have a gun. We live in a country where that’s one of your rights. A lot of people I know have guns in their house to protect their homes and their family.
“What we do is spend a lot of time with the no-weapons is really to educate them on weapons, on having guns, and why would you have it, what’s the purpose of having it.
“If you’re going to have a gun, make sure you’re properly trained in knowing how to use it. It’s about education.”
So, in reality, is that really a no-weapons policy?
“No, I mean, I’m not — you know, that would be a hard one in the world,” he said.
Healthy Gators
Several players coming off of serious injuries, including defensive end Cece Jefferson, running back Malik Davis, offensive lineman Brett Heggie and safety Jeawon Taylor, have been cleared for the start of camp, but could be limited.
“We expect, talking to trainers, everyone is going to participate in practice,” Mullen said. “We’ll have some guys that might not still be at 100 percent, have maybe some non-contact jerseys on. But everyone is participating. We don’t have anybody that’s not medically cleared to participate at practice.”
Watkins, Davis gone
Mullen confirmed Justin Watkins, a freshman defensive back, and junior defensive end Keivonnis Davis are no longer on the team. Watkins said last week he was leaving school three days after he was charged with hitting and strangling his girlfriend.
Davis was suspended all of last season for credit card fraud and has had some other legal issues arise since then.
“Both Keivonnis Davis and Justin Watkins are no longer with our program,” Mullen said. “They’ve moved on from our program, so they won’t be with us anymore.”
I think he’s trying to say that it’s OK if you’re qualified to own, and trained/educated on proper/safe handling, manual of arms, and correct storage arrangements. Very similar to the Eddie Eagle program. At least that’s what I think, very touchy subject to a lot of people, especially these days.
It’s definitely a touchy subject, but lets be real, there’s no reason for these players to have an AR-15. A simple 9mm or any other handgun will protect you just fine. I think at the very least the school should have a no assault rifle policy. Obviously assault rifles have no business being on school grounds these days.
Both are legal to own so it is an individual’s choice, not someone else’s.
Yeah, I basically agree Joe…..it is a civilian version of an assault rifle, but unless a kid is into target shooting and/or competition, I think the value is just that: It looks like an assault weapon, therefore it’s cool. Very poor thinking.
Nothing to see here. Perfectly natural for any college student to ride around town with a loaded AR-15 in the back seat.
Did Foley know about the 2009 assault?
Better yet, did Mullen know about it, and if he did, did he let Urban know. Which member of the Hogtown media is going to ask this?
Yes or No, Wally: Do you still beat your wife?
Mullen wasn’t at UF in 2009 when the Smith incident happened.
Unless things have changed you can’t have a weapon in a dorm, no matter if you are trained or not.
Many players live off campus.
I didn’t know that…..maybe part of the problem unless married. Go back and ask again, whatever happened to jock dorms? Did that violate someone’s rights, or something?
I now wonder how much all the athletic staff (not just Foley) knew or didn’t know about what was going on with Zach Smith and his beating females problem
This is old semantics, and not worth the energy. This is OSU problem…. right now, UF coaches are getting bypassed by the rest of conference on the recruiting trail…. let’s get to business, so our 2019 recruiting class looks like our classes from years past…. not much we can do about 2018. Toe meets leather soon….
Meyer is best left in the Gator’s rear view mirror. Great ready to have a great season. Go Gators.
That is get ready to have a great season.
I think this is the first time I have heard Mullen say something that doesn’t make sense. I hate to say it, but this almost sounds like something from McElwain. I hope the pressure is not getting to him.
Article out on msn sports. Meyer now days he reported this in 15. That begs why would he keep a coach on staff? I feel sorry for all involved.
The only thing that is confusing about the no (illegal possession or irresponsible use of) weapons policy is that a few sportswriters find it confusing.
Seems pretty basic, actually.