- Florida head coach Dan Mullen has confirmed a positive COVID-19 test.
- The University of Florida paused organized football activities last week due to multiple positive COVID-19 tests.
- The school athletic department reported 5 positive tests but several media outlets have indicated there are as many as 19 positives.
The SEC had a tough week when it comes to dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. A slew of positive tests resulted in the postponement of a couple of high profile games–most notably the matchup between Florida and LSU. The Gators had as many as 19 positive tests among playes and staff and they can now add one more to that tally–head coach Dan Mullen.
Not long after the news broke that Alabama head coach Nick Saban had turned in three consecutive negative tests and thus would be allowed to coach his team’s game against Georgia on Saturday night the Florida announcement about Mullen hit the wires. As has become de rigueur in the COVID-19 era this led to a Mullen statement posted to his Twitter account:
The text of this statement is the only real information to come out of the University of Florida since the postponement of their game against LSU:
“Thank you Gator Nation for all your support for the program this week/ Thankfully, everyone impacted is recovering well and has experienced mild-to-no symptoms. I have also tested positive for COVID and have received word that my test has been confirmed. I’m continuing to self-isolate from my family, who all remain healthy, and am following the guidelines set forth by UF Health, the CDC and our public health officials. I am proud of how our players, staff and campus community have navigated this unprecedented time and hope all continue to be safe.”
Florida’s game against LSU has been moved to December 12 which is a week before the SEC Championship Game in Atlanta. Due to the depletion in the Florida roster, the SEC moved the Gators’ home game against Missouri next weekend back a week to October 31.
Mullen is the second major college coach in Florida to test positive for COVID-19. In mid-September, Florida State coach Mike Norvell announced a positive coronavirus test. He was forced to miss FSU’s loss at Miami due to the diagnosis.
