Skip to main content
florida logo

Florida hiring Ben Elsner as Director of Football Strategy

On3 imageby:Zach Abolverdi•about 9 hours•

ZachAbolverdi

Florida-Gators-helmet-scott-stricklin
A detail of a Florida Gators helmet before the start of a game between the Florida Gators and the Missouri Tigers at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on October 08, 2022 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida is hiring Ben Elsner as Director of Football Strategy, multiple sources tell Gators Online. Elsner will have the No. 2 lead role in UF’s front office, behind the program’s Vice President for Football — a hire that has yet to be made.

Elsner will be in charge of managing the salary cap and constructing contracts, per sources, along with the analytics and AI metrics for all parts of the program. 

He has served as the chief of staff for The 33rd Team, which was founded by ex-NFL executive Mike Tannenbaum.

On Wednesday, Napier revealed the name of the position Elsner landed, which has been described as a “number cruncher” to Gators Online.

“The most recent hire is Director of Football Strategy. I think it’s a little more contracts, caps, and analytics,” Napier said. “We’re getting this front office built out to be more strategic about the salary cap, the contracts, rev share, marketing, endorsement, that pool of money that could come available. And then, how you allocate the money becomes part of the evaluation process. 

“We have been living life that way, although there’s no rules. What we’ve tried to do the last 18 months is create our own rules in terms of how we added players to the team. Not only the addition of players but the retention of players. I think we’re kind of getting on the interstate and slotted in that right lane here. I think, ultimately, we’re getting close here to hiring a couple of really smart guys.” 

Florida is expected to hire its Vice President for Football this month. UF has interviewed at least five candidates for the lead position.

“We’re trying to wrap that up. I think we’re close. Obviously a very important position,” Napier said. “It really will be a department more than a position. You’ll see we’re going to hire multiple people. I think that one of those hires is pretty close to being done and then I think the others are right around the corner as well. Very hopeful we’ll get that done here shortly.”

CLICK HERE for more details on multiple front-office hires that the Gators plan to make and what those roles will entail.

Not a member of Gators Online?

CLICK HERE to join the Gators Online community! It’s the top place for passionate Florida fans to find the best insight and news in the market. 

Boasting a talented collection of experienced journalists, we dig deep into recruiting and provide breaking news and analysis on UF sports.

You may also like