Where once did I even mention any talent gap closing?
If anything our talking point is how Mullen coaches up talent. He had the best run in MSU history. A place that has never been a host of winning much. He made a no name recruit by the name of Dak Presscott into a college star and now he is a household name in NFL QB talks. Nick Fitz did wonders considering where he came from. Nobody knew nothing of him. Mullen never had star studded classes at MSU but he was competitive in the best division of college football and pulled off upsets along with successful seasons.
He took over a team with a losing record from a coach who had shitty recruiting. He had a QB who honestly looked like total shit the season before along with a high school backup and an athlete who had flaws as a true QB in Emory Jones. He took that team from 4 wins to 10 wins. He continued the dominance over UT, ended the losing streak to FSU and Michigan. He even pulled off an upset vs LSU.
Meanwhile Kirby took over a talented team from a coach who always had competitive talent. A coach who recruited well. A coach who left two NFL RB's along with other pro level talent on the roster. Kirby started his first year with losses to Lyle Jones and Jim McElwain of all people along with other losses. But Dan is sorry for losing early in the season to one of UK's best teams in forever along to Missouri with a pro drafted QB and one of it's best offenses. Kirby had an awesome season his second year but still showed signs of questionable decisions during crunch time. During year 3 despite all of that recruited talent that "closed the gap" on Bama, he loses to Ed Orge and Vodka Tom Herman. Two places he has beaten in recruiting rankings.
If anything we think if Mullen fills needs, recruits the right fit for his schemes, and continues to develop the talent he has that he can be successful at UF. Nothing about closing any damn gaps. All of these gaps your world class recruiter has closed, he's still pissed away opportunities to win big with the exception of the SECCG two years ago. Besides recruiting...what are the signs of Kirby leading UGA to the promise land? Other than hoping he pulls a Phil Fulmer or Mack Brown by having the talent and being in the right place at the right time with other teams slipping up during the season?
I do think Kirby will pull a Brown/Fulmer before it's all said and done. Although I wouldn't be surprised if he pulled a Richt career of always almost being there and never getting it. Honestly I have no idea of what Mullen will do at UF other than splitting with UGA and pulling off a.few SEC championship wins. Mullen may pull one out of his azz and beat a Saban team in the SECCG but his likely bet is to catch the game when an Auburn or LSU catches Bama slipping and makes the title game....like Kirby did two years ago.