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Report: Florida assistant Gerald Chatman to stay with Gators, spurns LSU

IMG_0985by:Griffin McVeigh•03/01/25•

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Gerald-Chatman-Florida-Gators
Florida Gators assistant coach for defensive line Gerald Chatman smiles with Florida Gators wide receiver Marcus Burke (88) during Gator Walk at the Orange and Blue spring football game at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, April 13, 2024. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]

LSU is experiencing some coaching turnover late in the offseason, searching for a new defensive line coach. Bo Davis left Baton Rouge for a job not too far away with the New Orleans Saints. While Brian Kelly is no stranger to looking for a DL coach, this one is different in late February/early March.

Multiple names have been linked but one can reportedly be crossed off. According to The Athletic‘s Bruce Feldman, Gerald Chatman will be staying with the Florida Gators. Feldman says there was “a lot of consideration” from Chatman about moving to LSU but he is opting to spend a second season under head coach Billy Napier.

“SOURCE: After a lot of consideration, Gerald Chatman who was a top target for the LSU D-line coaching vacancy, has opted to remain at Florida,” Feldman said via X. “In his first season at UF, the Gators made big jumps in sacks, TFLs and turnovers. LSU is looking to hire its EIGHTH D-line coach since 2020.”

Chatman does have experience at LSU, under two different coaching staffs. Kelly had him be the interim defensive line coach in 2023 but an in-state opportunity at Tulane popped up. Florida hired Chatman away ahead of the 2024 season.

Ed Orgeron had Chatman on staff too, going back to the 2021 season. Then, Chatman was just an analyst for the linebacker and defensive line positions. He did not have an on-field role with the program but continued his climb in the coaching world.

Heading back to The Boot was certainly an option but after deliberating the idea, Chatman will stay with Florida.

Florida promotes Russ Callaway to offensive coordiantor

Billy Napier is shaking up his Florida coaching staff. The Gators have promoted co-offensive coordinator Russ Callaway to the offensive coordinator role, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

Callaway was serving as the co-offensive coordinator and tight ends coach alongside fellow co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Rob Sale.

Russ Callaway is entering his fourth season at Florida in 2025 and has seen his role increase every year. He was hired to an off-the-field role in 2022, before being promoted to tight ends coach ahead of the 2023 season. The 2024 season was his first as a co-offensive coordinator and now he has received another promotion.

Callaway helped Florida to a surprising 8-5 season in 2024, despite the Gators facing one of the toughest schedules in the country.