Dan Mullen's long been heralded for his offensive approach.
Now, an aggressive approach could be bringing home a major hire for Mullen in his returning to coaching at UNLV.
Multiple sources tell FootballScoop that Mullen is working to finalize a deal with Zach Arnett to become defensive coordinator at UNLV.
The move comes just hours after Arnett told Dowell Loggains that he was accepting a position on Loggains's inaugural Appalachian State staff as defensive coordinator.
Instead, sources told FootballScoop, Mullen called Arnett with an lucrative offer at UNLV, one that AppState could not financially match.
Mullen already has received the largest contract in UNLV history, worth approximately $3.5 million starting out, and the school has pledged unprecedented financial commitment to both Mullen's assistant coaching staff as well as Name, Image and Likeness resources.
A former New Mexico linebacker who rose to coaching stardom at San Diego State, Arnett arrived at Mississippi State -- where Mullen grew to acclaim as head coach -- just a couple years after Mullen departed Starkville, Miss., to take over at Florida.
As defensive coordinator for Mike Leach, Arnett continued to shine and was promoted to head coach after Leach's tragic death.
Arnett spent the past season studying under Lane Kiffin and specifically defensive coordinator Pete Golding at Ole Miss.