Good Morning Gators: Coach Chaos mic'd up; Napier makes new staff hire
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Florida’s defensive linemen are being trained this spring in the art of chaos.
Their new position coach is Sean Spencer, aka Coach Chaos, who also serves as co-defensive coordinator. Of the new staff members, Spencer has been the most vocal in practice (see below) and calls his group the ‘Wild Hogs.’
He’s coached more than 20 years at the collegiate and professional levels, spending the past two seasons (2020-21) as the New York Giants defensive line coach.
“Sean obviously is a veteran coach that has a tremendous input and background at multiple stops,” Florida coach Billy Napier said of Spencer.
Prior to the NFL, Spencer spent six seasons (2014-19) at Penn State, where he was also associate head coach and run game coordinator.
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He coached former Florida defensive tackle Antonio Valentino, who transferred to UF in 2021 after playing under Spencer at PSU.
“Let me tell you something about Coach Spence. My entire time at Penn State, Spence was like a second dad to me. No funny business,” Valentino said on Gators Breakdown. “I knew he cared as much about me off the field as he did on the field. He took time to get to know us as individuals and how to communicate with us. He knew our lives. He knew our backgrounds. He knew our families. Anything he says, it’s the truth. Everything about Coach Spence is 110 percent authentic. Y’all are going to love this man.”
In other Florida football news
- The Gators have taken an NFL approach with two offensive line coaches on their staff in Rob Sale and Darnell Stapleton.
- Sale discusses his offensive philosophy and how he coordinates the offense with Napier, who calls the plays.
- UF running back Nay’Quan Wright is leading from the sidelines this spring while rehabbing his season-ending ankle injury.
- The newest addition to Napier’s staff is football performance dietitian Brooks Gillerlain, who worked with UF director of sports nutrition Kelsee Gomes at North Carolina.
UF recruiting roundup
- The On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine says Florida is trending for five-star cornerback Cormani McClain, who visited UF over the weekend with his mother.
- 10 key recruiting battles in the state of Florida to watch this spring, including multiple top prospects with the Gators in the mix.
Gators sports roundup
- The Gators allowed one hit and Jud Fabian left the yard twice in their 3-2 win over Bethune-Cookman on Tuesday.
- Florida basketball signee Malik Reneau has received his release from UF and reopened his recruitment following the coaching change.
Let’s keep talking
Want to keep the conversation going? Head over to our Florida message board, Swamp Talk. Gators Online is running a spring camp promo. Sign up here and join the discussion for just $10, which will cover the next four months.
Gators Twitter updates
- UF running backs coach Jabbar Juluke on his position group:
- Sights from Florida Gators spring football practice:
- Kansas City Chiefs quarterbacks coach Matt Nagy will speak at Florida’s Chalk Talk event from March 24-26:
