Florida Gators officially announce promotion of Russ Callaway
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Florida Gators officially announced the promotion of Russ Callaway as “Assistant Head Coach / Tight Ends”. Gators Online had previously reported the news on March 6.
Callaway, 35, enters his second season with the Gators after joining the staff in 2022 in an off-the-field role.
An experienced coach at the collegiate and NFL levels, Callaway arrived in Gainesville after spending the 2021 season with the New York Giants, serving as an offensive assistant, and the 2020 season as a senior offensive assistant and analyst at LSU. His resume also includes stints at Alabama and Samford.
He spent five seasons at Samford where he served as the Bulldogs’ offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach from 2016-19, while also coaching the wide receivers from 2015-17.
As a unit in 2018, Samford’s offense led the FCS in passing yards per game (392.7). The offense also ranked fourth in the FCS in total offense (515.9 ypg.), and eighth in both red zone offense (.898) and in first downs (298). Meanwhile, in 2017, the Bulldogs’ offense led the SoCon and ranked fifth in the FCS in passing yards per game (33.4 ypg.).
In 2016, Callaway’s offense ranked third among all FCS schools in passing offense, averaging 349.4 passing yards per game. They also ranked sixth in the FCS in red zone offense (90.2%), 11th in team passing efficiency (155.24), 12th in scoring offense (35.1 ppg.), and 14th in total offense (446.2 ypg.).
During his time with Samford, Callaway mentored quarterback Devlin Hodges, who earned the Walter Payton Award for the top offensive player in all of FCS football in 2018. Hodges passed for an FCS-record 14,584, breaking the old record set by Steve McNair.
Prior to Samford, Callaway spent two seasons on staff at Murray State, where he worked with the wide receivers, while also serving as the recruiting coordinator.
Callaway has been working with the tight ends all spring.
Callaway’s resume
- 10-plus years of experience at the collegiate and NFL Levels
- Stints with the New York Giants, LSU Tigers, and Alabama Crimson Tide
- Has worked with Nick Saban and Kirby Smart
- Callaway was a successful play caller when he held the role of offensive coordinator at Samford
- Led one of the most productive offenses in the FCS with the Bulldogs
- Callaway’s offense led the FCS in passing yards per game in 2018
- Fourth in the FCS in total offense in 2018
- Led the SoCon and ranked fifth in the FCS in passing yards per game in 2017
- Coached the 2018 Walter Payton Award Winner (FCS) at Samford in Devlin Hodges
- Was a two-time team captain as a quarterback at Valdosta State
- Son of longtime coach Neil Callaway
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