University of Florida fires football coach Dan Mullen after losing four out of last five games - CNN

I just told him I felt like we needed to go in a different direction for the Gators and our football program," Stricklin said in a news conference.

Greg Knox, the special teams coordinator and running backs coach, will take over as interim coach for the rivalry game against Florida State University on Saturday.

The Gators must win that game to become eligible to play in a bowl game.

Stricklin said he offered Mullen the opportunity to coach the team for the FSU game, but Mullen declined, wary of being a distraction for the team.