Sun Oct 19 03:20:00 UTC 2025: ## Summary:

UNLV coach Dan Mullen has publicly denied any interest in the vacant head coaching position at Arkansas. He went further, explicitly recommending Florida State offensive coordinator and former Auburn coach Gus Malzahn for the role. Mullen, who previously coached in the SEC at Mississippi State and Florida, is currently enjoying a successful start to his tenure at UNLV. He had already stated his commitment to remaining at UNLV. Arkansas recently fired their head coach, Sam Pittman, after a string of losses.

News Article:

UNLV Coach Dan Mullen Shoots Down Arkansas Rumors, Endorses Gus Malzahn

LAS VEGAS, NV – UNLV Head Coach Dan Mullen has emphatically denied any interest in filling the vacant head coaching position at the University of Arkansas. In a surprising move, Mullen also publicly endorsed Florida State offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn for the role, calling on Arkansas to hire the former Auburn coach.

“0.0 interest in Arkansas,” Mullen posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday. “Thanks for the shout out though. Y’all need to hire Gus Malzahn.”

Mullen’s statement comes amidst speculation surrounding potential coaching changes following Arkansas’s recent firing of Sam Pittman. Pittman was let go after a disappointing run that culminated in a 56-13 loss to Notre Dame.

Mullen, who previously spent 13 seasons coaching in the SEC with Mississippi State and Florida, is currently enjoying a stellar start to his tenure at UNLV, leading the Rebels to a 6-0 record. He had already publicly reaffirmed his commitment to the program earlier in the week. “I’ll be here,” Mullen said. “I’m going to be the head coach at UNLV next year. I’ll be here. I’m not going anywhere.”

While Mullen dismisses any personal involvement, his endorsement of Malzahn adds another layer to the ongoing coaching search in Arkansas. Malzahn, a former head coach at Auburn, is currently the offensive coordinator at Florida State. Although FSU has had mixed results since a Week 1 upset over Alabama, his experience within the SEC could make him an attractive candidate for the Razorbacks.

The University of Arkansas has yet to comment on Mullen’s statement or their coaching search process. The pressure is on for the school to find a leader capable of revitalizing the program and competing within the highly competitive SEC.

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