Dan Mullen, who led UNLV to a 10-4 record and a Mountain West title game appearance in his debut season, has received the Steve Spurrier First-Year Coach of the Year award from the Football Writers Association of America. The award, established in 2002, honors a head coach who makes an exemplary transition in his first year leading a program. Mullen is the first UNLV coach to win the honor.
The Rebels’ 10 wins are the most ever by a first-year coach in program history, and the team posted its first 6-0 start since 1974. UNLV finished first in the Mountain West and earned the top seed in the conference championship game, ultimately falling but securing a trip to the Frisco Bowl. At home, the Rebels went 5-1 at Allegiant Stadium, their best home winning percentage since 2000.
Mullen will be honored at a reception on Feb. 23 in Gainesville, Florida. The trophy is named for Steve Spurrier, a Heisman Trophy winner and College Football Hall of Famer.
