Former Florida Gators coaches now in the NFL

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Florida Gators had three coaches leave Gainesville for the NFL in a 36-hour span. Billy Napier has already replaced his defensive coordinator with Austin Armstrong. The 29-year-old will be the youngest defensive coordinator in college football next season. Florida still has two more vacancies on its roster and spring camp is just days away.

The move to the NFL came in a flurry but it might not be new. By Gators Online’s count, Florida has 22 former coaches or graduate assistants who are currently on NFL coaching staffs. Last week, we wrote about the current state of the college football calendar and why it might push coaches away from the college ranks. On3 National Columnist, Jesse Simonton, also wrote about the changing landscape and how it is affecting college coaches.

Simonton notes that in the last two coaching carousel cycles, which is the NIL era, the number of FBS coaches to leave for the NFL:

2022: 18

2023: 17 (so far)

It doesn’t appear to be an issue with Billy Napier or the Florida Gators. Rather, an issue with the college football calendar as a whole and the demands of being a coach at the college level. A lot of football coaches just want to watch film and coach ball. At the college level, you’re paid well, but the job never ends.

Gators coaches in the NFL

Patrick Toney — Arizona Cardinals, Co-Defensive Coordinator/Safeties (2022)

William Peagler — Arizona Cardinals, TE coach at Florida (2022)

Keary Colbert — Wide Receivers Coach, Denver Broncos, WR coach at Florida (2022)

Zach Azzanni — Wide Receivers Coach, New York Jets, Passing game coordinator/wide receivers at Florida (2010)

Justin Hinds — Assistant Defensive Line Coach, Chicago Bears, GA at Florida (2015)

Jon Hoke — Cornerbacks/passing game coordinator, Chicago Bears, DC and secondary coach at Florida (1999-2001)

Tyke Tolbert — Passing game coordinator/wide receivers, Chicago Bears, recruiting coordinator at Florida (2002)

Jeff Blasko — Assistant Offensive Line Coach, Dallas Cowboys, offensive quality control coach at Florida (2011)

Dan Quinn — DC, Dallas Cowboys, DC at Florida (2011-12)

Cedric Smith — Assistant strength and conditioning, Dallas Cowboys, played for Florida (1986-89)

Chris Rumph — Defensive Line, Minnesota Vikings, DL/Co-Dc at Florida (2015-17)

Todd Grantham – Defensive Line, New Orleans Saints, DC for Florida (2018-21)

Brian Johnson — Quarterbacks, Philadelphia Eagles, QBs/OC at Florida (2018-20)

Stephen Adegoke — Defensive Quality Control, San Francisco 49ers, defensive GA at Florida (2021)

Joey Fitzgerald — Defensive Quality Control, Tampa Buccaneers, Recruiting specialist at Florida (2018)

John Van Dam — Tight Ends, Tampa Buccaneers, Offensive quality control and assistant QBs coach at Florida (2015)    

Teryl Austin — DC, Pittsburgh Steelers, DC at Florida (2010)

Ryan Crow — Outside Linebackers, Tennessee Titans, Strength intern at Florida (2011)

Frank Piriiano — Director of Sports Performance, Tennessee Titans, Strength and conditioning staff at Florida (2005-09)

Anthony Weaver —  Assistant Head Coach/defensive line, Baltimore Ravens, GA at Florida (2010)

Kerry Dixon — Assistant Quarterbacks, Baltimore Ravens, Wide Receivers coach at the Florida (2015-17)

Zach Azzani — Wide Receivers Coach, Denver Broncos, Passing game coordinator/wide receivers coach at Florida (2010)

Doug Nussmier — Quarterbacks Coach, Los Angeles Chargers, OC/QBs at Florida (2015-17)