ORLANDO, Fla. — Florida Gators coach Dan Mullen is a good football coach, but he is an even better politician.
And politicians, you see, don’t always tell the truth and will often deceive the general public for the greater good. I believe that is what Mullen is doing when he bafflingly says Emory Jones remains the best option as the Gators’ starting quarterback even though it’s become increasingly clear to everybody that freakishly fabulous freshman Anthony Richardson is the most talented QB on Florida’s roster. Mullen is purposely making a bad decision for a good cause.
Mullen is no dummy and is known far and wide as a quarterback guru. Obviously, he sees the incredible potential of Richardson, but he also knows the potential ramifications if he benches Jones. If Richardson is suddenly named the starter, then Jones — a locker-room leader who has patiently waited for three years to become the starter — could become a disgruntled distraction. That could eventually lead to him entering the transfer portal and, who knows, he could be playing for Florida State next season.
