The palm trees and bright sun soar over Allegiant Stadium, one of the most beautiful sights in all
of football. It’s been the home of the UNLV Red Raiders for 5 years now, meaning it’s become
home for Head Coach Dan Mullen, who took the reins of the program this past year. Mullen has
led the Red Raiders to new heights, delivering one of their best seasons in recent memory. But
for the head coach, his new home looks very different from what it once was: the quaint town of
Collegeville, Pennsylvania.
Mullen began his career as an Ursinus Bear, a member of the class of 1994. It’s an experience
which the coach believes set him up for the success he’s experienced today.
“I learned how to problem solve, how to think, and how to process information,” Mullen said.
“[They were] real important life skills.”
The coach was initially drawn to Ursinus by the opportunity to play college football, and his
desire to work within a sports field. But according to Mullen, one visit to campus sealed the deal
on his decision to become a Bear.
“My top two schools were Ithaca and Ursinus,” Mullen said. “When I visited Ithaca there was a
giant snowstorm, and when I visited Ursinus, it was bright and sunny, and that gave me a great
gut feeling.”
The Head Coach would go on to become one of the Bears’ most successful football players in
program history, earning First Team All-Centennial honors as a tight end. According to him
though, the most fruitful part of the experience was the relationships he built along the way.
“The thing that made Ursinus special was the lasting friendships”, Mullen said. “Those
connections last, and it’s really incredible.”
One of those connections was with Paul Guenther, fellow Ursinus hall-of-famer and linebacker.
The two have gone from living “across the hall” from one another in college, to now coaching
together on Saturdays.
“We were friends throughout college, and we kind of kept that personal, but also that
professional connection”, Mullen said. “It was a great fit for us to come together [at UNLV].”
As the Red Raiders’ season winds down, Mullen is the talk of the town, as he looks to give the
team their first ever College Football Playoff berth. But it seems he hasn’t forgotten about where
it all started.
“The people, the relationships, that’s what makes that place special,” Mullen said. “And those
Marzella’s cheesesteaks, I miss it”.
We wish Mullen and UNLV good luck as they look to finish their season strong!
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