Dan Mullen Dealt Unfortunate News After Joining UNLV

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris Phelps | Last updated Dec 17, 2024 8:03 PM ET

Following the 2024 college football regular season, ESPN analyst Dan Mullen, who previously coached the Florida Gators and Mississippi State Bulldogs, was hired as the next head coach of the UNLV Rebels.

Mullen last coached in 2021 with the Gators, finishing his tenure in Gainesville after four years. In 13 seasons as a head coach, the 52-year-old has secured a record of 103-61.

However, a few days after his hiring, Mullen and UNLV were dealt some unfortunate transfer portal news on Tuesday evening.

According to On3 Sports' Pete Nakos, Rebels cornerback Tony Grimes has elected to enter the transfer portal.

"UNLV cornerback Tony Grimes has entered the transfer portal as a grad transfer, On3 Sports has learned," Nakos wrote on X. "Former North Carolina and Texas A&M transfer has 117 career tackles, 24 pass deflections and an interception."

UNLV cornerback Tony Grimes has entered the transfer portal as a grad transfer, @On3sports has learned.

Former North Carolina and Texas A&M transfer has 117 career tackles, 24 pass deflections and an interception.https://t.co/VxSGJEUisH pic.twitter.com/UU8uYXCV3m
— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos_) December 17, 2024

Grimes, the senior out of Princess Anne High School in Virginia Beach, was a top four-star recruit in the class of 2020 (247 Sports). The cornerback ranked as the 48th-best player and the fifth-best cornerback in his class.

Initially, Grimes committed to the North Carolina Tar Heels. After three seasons in Chapel Hill, he transferred to Texas A&M but missed the entire 2023 season due to injury and never saw the field for the Aggies. He went on to play for UNLV for one season in 2024.

In his four years of college action, Grimes has recorded 117 tackles, 24 passes defended, a sack, a forced fumble and an interception. The cornerback has failed to live up to the expectations he had coming in as such a high-ranked prospect. But Mullen and UNLV will be losing a veteran with experience in 2025.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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