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Billy Napier targeting NFL assistant as Florida Gators DB coach

On3 imageby:Zach Abolverdi•12/05/23•

ZachAbolverdi

Will-Harris-Florida-Gators

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Billy Napier has targeted his next secondary coach. Gators Online has learned that Will Harris, currently the assistant secondary coach with the LA Chargers, is the leading candidate for the job and has been in contact with Napier.

Harris and Napier conducted a Zoom meeting on Tuesday morning. Harris is in the running to replace former UF secondary coach Corey Ramond, who Napier parted ways with last week.

Harris, 36, is in his first season with the Chargers after being hired in April. Prior to that, he spent 10 years working up the college ranks after playing defensive back at Southern California from 2005-09. He was the defensive coordinator and secondary coach for Georgia Southern in 2022 following four seasons coaching Washington’s defensive backs (2018-21).

In 2020, Harris helped the Huskies rank first in the Pac-12 in total defense and passing yards allowed. Among his defensive backs were first-team All-Pac-12 honoree Elijah Molden, Pro Football Focus’ Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year. In 2021, Washington was the only Power 5 school with two cornerbacks to earn an 85+ grade from PFF in Kyler Gordon and Trent McDuffie, both of whom earned first-team All-Pac 12 Conference honors. 

While Harris doesn’t have history with Napier, they share a mutual connection. Harris is currently on staff with LA Chargers defensive coordinator Derrick Ansley, who worked with Napier at Alabama in 2011 and 2016.

Will Harris background

Per his bio at Georgia Southern, he’s more info an Harris:

Playing Experience
USC Trojans (2005-09)
Seattle Seahawks (2010)
Edmonton Eskimos (2010)

Coaching Experience
2022: Georgia Southern (defensive coordinator/defensive backs)
2018-21: Washington (defensive backs)
2016-17: San Jose State (defensive backs)
2015: Dixie College (defensive backs/co-defensive coordinator/recruiting coordinator)
2014: Humboldt State (defensive backs)
2013: Northwestern Oklahoma State (defensive backs)

College Bowl Experience
Coach
2022: Camellia (GS vs. Buffalo)
2019: Las Vegas (Washington vs. Boise State)
2018: Rose (Washington vs. Ohio State)
Player
2009: Emerald (USC vs. Boston College)
2008: Rose (USC vs. Penn State)
2007: Rose (USC vs. Illinois)
2006: Rose (USC vs. Michigan)
2005: BCS National Championship/Rose (USC vs. Texas)

Prominent Players he has coached
Andre Chachere (CB): Philadelphia Eagles
Kyler Gordon (CB): Chicago Bears
Trent McDuffie (CB): Kansas City Chiefs
Elijah Molden (CB): Tennessee Titans
Byron Murphy Jr. (CB): Arizona Cardinals
Taylor Rapp (CB): Los Angeles Rams
Keith Taylor (CB): Carolina Panthers

–Keith Niebuhr contributed to this report.

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