GAINESVILLE, Fla.– Florida football coach Dan Mullen was provided a number of more chances Monday to clarify any confusion regarding his remarks about desiring to pack 90,000 shouting fans inside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium during the coronavirus pandemic.
He decreased each of them, brushing aside criticism and insisting hes focused on defending national champ LSU.
He was asked: Did you have any discussions with your boss, athletic director Scott Stricklin, about what you stated following a 41-38 loss at Texas A&M?
” No, Ive been fretted about attempting to beat LSU,” Mullen stated.
Then: Any is sorry for two days later? Did you talk with school president Kent Fuchs?
” Yeah, Ive been getting ready for LSU. I indicate, Ill be honest. I believe if you take a look at what weve had the ability to do, the security precautions we have that our gamers have followed, our coaches follow, our staff follows, you understand, I believe were a model of safety of what weve been doing throughout this time duration.
” So Im actually pleased with how weve handled everything and how safe weve been with whatever were doing and all the precautions weve had in place throughout this time.”
Another follow-up: Do you comprehend how bad it could be having many individuals, with or without masks, in cramped quarters for four hours?
“I thought they did a great task of doing that. … I have not talked to people because Ive been actually focused on attempting to beat LSU.
” But, you understand, whatever our government officials all state and what everybody does for the video game, what we do need to do is nevertheless lots of people they allow into the stadium, we require to try to work as difficult as we can– all the Gator fans and all people– to produce the best game-day environment we can.”.
Mullen raised eyebrows Saturday by requiring fans to pack the Swamp for Saturdays video game versus the Tigers. State reopening standards under Gov. Ron DeSantis have permitted complete stadiums considering that late last month.
1 RelatedNo college or expert group in the Sunshine State has moved beyond a little percentage of fans in presence. The Gators had 2,000 of an almost 17,000 allotment unsold for their home opener against South Carolina two weeks ago.
However Mullen desires more.
” I know our governor passed that rule, so certainly, hopefully, the UF administration chooses to let us pack The Swamp against LSU– 100%– since that crowd was definitely a factor in the video game,” Mullen said after the Aggies disturbed his helpless Gators.
Mullen was provided a chance to pull back a few minutes later on. Instead, he stood by his comments.
” Absolutely want to see 90,000 in The Swamp,” he stated. “I do not believe the section behind our bench, I didnt see an empty seat. It was loaded. The student section, there need to have been 50,000 behind our bench going bananas. Ideally that creates a home-field benefit for us next week because now we passed a law in our state that we can do that. We desire our students out there cheering us on to provide us that home-field benefit.”.
Stricklin rapidly compressed any thoughts about Florida opening up its school and increasing capability.
Fuchs took it an action even more Sunday, stating on Twitter that Florida “stays totally and securely dedicated to following CDC guidelines for every part of our campus from class to athletic places along with the assistance of our own experts and regional and state health authorities.”.
University of Florida students are currently holding all classes online. Campus standards mandate physical distancing and wearing a mask or cloth deal with covering, limitations that limit the number of occupants can be in structures. However Mullen apparently believes congested bleachers would be okay.
” These preventative measures remain the most effective ways to slow the spread of COVID-19,” Fuchs said. “It is very important that all members of the UF neighborhood and our school visitors follow this assistance.”.
Mullen apparently believes congested bleachers would be Okay.
I think if you look at what weve been able to do, the safety preventative measures we have that our gamers have followed, our coaches follow, our personnel follows, you understand, I believe were a model of security of what weve been doing during this time duration.
” Absolutely want to see 90,000 in The Swamp,” he said. Hopefully that creates a home-field benefit for us next week since now we passed a law in our state that we can do that. We desire our students out there cheering us on to give us that home-field advantage.”.
