Florida Football: Dan Mullen gives update on his team’s COVID-19 return

After stating he wanted a full stadium for Florida football’s matchup with LSU last weekend, Dan Mullen’s team suffered a COVID-19 outbreak.

Florida’s football program will remain closed until Monday as the team attempts to continue to control an outbreak of COVID-19.

Coach Dan Mullen, who tested positive last week, told reporters on Wednesday that he’s feeling well and remains in isolation at home.

Mullen said that they received another positive test on Tuesday, bringing the total number of new tests among players to 26 since Oct. 13. He added that the majority of guys had minor symptoms.

Mullen previously reported that two assistant coaches had tested positive as well.

How college football is handling its COVID-19 protocols one month into the season
Whether or not they will be able to return in time to host Missouri on Oct. 31 is something Mullen said he hasn’t considered.

“Our expectation is to be back on Monday,” he said, according to ESPN. “But we’ll figure it out. We’ll find a way. That would be something we’d have to discuss with the league.”

As of right now it’s still uncertain if the Florida Gators will be able to clear these protocols before next week to play on Halloween night vs. Missouri Tigers which was scheduled Oct. 24 but was moved back as well as the LSU game moved to Dec.12.

Mullen said he thinks the initial outbreak was caused by the team’s travel to Texas A&M on Oct. 10, and that it could have been the result of one or two players having the virus and spreading it on the flight to College Station.

“We’re trying to see now if any new case is consistent from originally where we were and the original spread on the team, or if it’s individuals not following the quarantine procedure,” he said.