During an interview on the Rich Eisen Show earlier this week, FOX reporter Bruce Feldman, citing a report from NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah, broached the possibility that Florida Gators coach Dan Mullen could be an option for the Dallas Cowboys head coach opening if Jason Garrett is fired is fired by Dallas owner and general manager Jerry Jones.

Mullen was asked about potential NFL opportunities during an appearance Wednesday at the Hard Rock Hotel Hollywood, where the coach was in attendance for the Capital One Orange Bowl introductory press conference.

"You know what, I've never been in the NFL. So it's not even something that I've thought or considered," Mullen said. "You know, I've never even been an assistant coach at the NFL, so, you know, in life if (an opportunity arises), if someone ever calls me, then I would probably consider it then. But it's not even something I've considered at this point."

Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley and former Ohio State and Gators head coach Urban Meyer have been names rumored as potential replacements if the Cowboys decide to move on from Garrett, who has received staunch criticism in his 10th year at the helm for Dallas. Mullen coached on Meyer's staff at Florida, and the current Gators head coach also was instrumental in the tutelage of current Cowboys starting quarterback Dak Prescott at Mississippi State. But Mullen had not been heavily discussed as a candidate for the Cowboys job until this week.

“Our friend Daniel Jeremiah made a prediction a week or two ago saying that he thinks it will be Dan Mullen, who’s an Urban Meyer protege, who by the way coached and developed Dak Prescott,” Feldman said. “That’s what DJ said, I had not heard that from anybody else. But he kinda put 2 plus 2 plus 2 and got there. And the part that is interesting, remember, that Jimmy (Johnson) and Jerry (Jones) stuff blew up because of Jerry’s ego and who he wants to be in place there. Not to besmirch him, but Urban Meyer is a big name if you bring him in there.”

Mullen is currently focused on recruiting ahead of the Early Signing Period, which begins next Wednesday, and preparation for his team's game against the Virginia Cavaliers on Dec. 30.

"For us, when you look at recruiting and you look at what you're trying to do and accomplish in building a championship-level football program, the fact that you're playing in a New Year's Six bowl and you're here at the Orange Bowl playing on the biggest stage in college football, I think that's attractive to young men," Mullen said during his press conference on Wednesday.

"I think when they see that their own university here in Florida, they can stay at home and come play for the people of Florida and still accomplish all their goals, I think it is a special opportunity."