Former Florida Gators star joins Florida State football staff

The Florida State Seminoles have made a couple of additions to their coaching staff. It was reported on Thursday night that Corey Fuller is joining the staff, and on Friday morning, The Athletic’s Chris Vannini reported that former Florida Gators defensive back Keiwan Ratliff is also joining Florida State’s staff as the team’s assistant director of high school relations.

Ratliff previously worked at the high school/prep level prior to joining Florida’s staff under Dan Mullen in 2019. There, he was an off-field assistant and assisted the Gators secondary and recruiting. He was not retained by Billy Napier, and now, Ratfliff has a new home in a familiar state.

Ratfliff played at Florida for four years as a defensive back, beginning in 2000. There, he totaled 12 interceptions and five touchdowns on defense. He also played a role in the return game and on special teams. Ratliff was selected 49th overall in the second round of the 2004 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals.

In the NFL, Ratliff played for three teams, including multiple stints with the Bengals. Through his seven NFL seasons, he totaled 161 tackles, five tackles for loss, and five interceptions.

In 2010, Ratliff signed with the Florida Tuskers of the United Football League. He then had one more stint with the Bengals in 2010, and ended his playing career in 2011 after playing for the Virginia Destroyers.

Corey Fuller also joined Florida State’s staff

Fuller previously served as the head coach of Gadsden County High School. There, he amassed a 70-59 overall record as a high school head coach. Fuller has previously coached defensive backs for Florida A&M from 2011 to 2014, also serving four games as the Rattlers’ interim head coach in 2014.

Fuller spent ten seasons in the NFL with a number of teams, including the Minnesota Vikings, Cleveland Browns, and Baltimore Ravens. he totaled 590 tackles, 17 interceptions and a touchdown in his NFL career. Fuller delivered a strong message to his players at Gadsden when taking the Florida State job.

“I don’t want you all to think that when I leave that the program won’t be safe,” Fuller said. ““These guys behind me are prepared to take you all to the next level. This team is coming back this year and has a chance to go to the final four.”

While Florida State added a former Gators star to the staff in Ratliff, they also add a former Seminoles star in Fuller. Fuller had 106 tackles, six forced fumbles and two interceptions while at Florida State. He was part of the national championship winning team in 1993.

On3’s Wade Peery also contributed to this report.