FOXBORO, MA - SEPTEMBER 24: Head coach Dan Mullen of the Mississippi State Bulldogs looks on during the game against the Massachusetts Minutemen at Gillette Stadium on September 24, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Tim Bradbury/Getty Images)

Report: Florida "finalizing deal" with lead target in coaching search

Will the Gators land their head coach soon?

The Florida Gators are reportedly finalizing a deal with Mississippi State head coach Dan Mullen to fill their coaching vacancy, according to ESPN's Chris Low.

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Mullen, who has been linked to several coaching vacancies, said he planned on staying with the Bulldogs during his postgame press conference following his team's 31-28 loss to Ole Miss on Thursday.

Mullen worked as an offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Florida from 2005-08, which included winning two national championships and coaching Tim Tebow during his Heisman Trophy season. He currently holds a 69-46 (33-39 SEC) head coaching record and has led the Bulldogs to seven consecutive winning seasons.

In 2014, Mississippi State earned its first No. 1 overall ranking in program history and finished with a 10-3 (6-2 SEC) overall record, earning Mullen several coaching honors including the AP and Athlon SEC Coach of the Year awards and the Maxwell Football Club Coach of the Year award.