Breaking down 12 new Florida football assistant coaching hires
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The Florida football coaching staff under first-year coach Jon Sumrall has officially taken shape.
The Florida Gators announced the hirings of 12 assistant coaches on Tuesday, Jan. 6, including two who were former UF players.
Six coaches followed Sumrall from Tulane, including new UF quarterbacks coach Joe Craddock (who was Tulane's offensive coordinator) and new UF linebackers coach Greg Gasparato (who was Tulane's defensive coordinator). Craddock and Gasparato will work as position coaches under Florida offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner and Florida defensive coordinator Brad White, who were hired last month.
In addition, Florida hired one assistant who worked under White at Kentucky (new Florida safeties coach Chris Collins) and one assistant who worked under Faulkner at Georgia Tech (new Florida passing coordinator Trent McKnight).
Of the 12 assistants, nine bring prior Power 4 conference coaching experience, including offensive line coach Phil Trautwein (Penn State/Boston College), strength coach Rusty Whitt (Texas Tech), wide receivers coach Marcus Davis (Auburn), running backs coach Chris Foster (Duke/Northwestern), cornerbacks coach Brandon Harris (UCF), Craddock (Arkansas), Gasparato (Louisville), Collins (Kentucky) and McKnight (Georgia Tech).
Here's a breakdown of the new UF coaches and what they bring to the Gators:
Florida football offensive line coach Phil Trautwein
The 39-year-old Trautwein returns to Florida, where he was a two-time, All-SEC selection and two-time team captain as a left tackle. Earning first-team honors in 2008 and second-team accolades in 2006. He was a key cog on offensive lines that led Florida to national titles both those seasons.
He's had a successful career as an offensive line coach, beginning at Boston College from 2018-19 before moving on to Penn State from 2020-25. During that span, he's developed 31 all-conference offensive linemen and eight offensive linemen taken in the first round of the NFL Draft. That included a pair of All-Americans, guard Chris Lindstrom (Boston College) and tackle Olumuyiwa Fashanu (Penn State).
“Coach Trautwein is as good of an offensive line coach as there is in the country,” Sumrall said. “Add the fact that he’s a two-time national champion, All-SEC honoree and team captain here at Florida, having him join our staff was a no-brainer. Coach Trautwein is an elite teacher of the game and produces NFL draft picks, All-Americans and all-conference performers at an extremely high rate.”
Florida football inside linebackers coach Bam Hardmon
Hardmon was a team captain and second-team All-SEC linebacker at UF in 2002. He also was a three-time academic All-SEC honoree.
He's gone on to a successful career that's included stints under Sumrall at both Troy and Tulane. In 2024-2025, Hardmon's coaching contributed to a Tulane defense that finished second in the American Conference in fewest yards allowed per game (348.9), opponent passer rating (126.9), yards per completion (10.93) and TD-to-INT ratio (1.21). The Green Wave’s 69 sacks in that span rank first in the American and tied for 15th nationally.
“I couldn’t be more excited about being back with Gator Nation where I first started as a player,” Hardmon said. “Gainesville is a special place for me and my family. Coach Sumrall gave me a great opportunity to join the staff, and I can’t wait to hear The Swamp on game day.”
Florida football special teams coordinator Jonathan Galante
Galante brings nine years of special teams coaching experience, beginning as a special teams graduate assistant at Virginia Tech, before moving on as a special teams analyst under Nick Saban at Alabama from 2019-22. He worked as special teams coordinator at Marshall from 2022-24 before joining Sumrall's staff at Tulane in 2025.
Under Sumrall in 2025, Galante helped guide kicker Patrick Durkin to American Athletic Conference (AAC) Special Teams Player of the Year honors, a first in program history. Along with Durkin, punter Alec Clark earned first-team all-conference accolades, while TJ Smith and Jason Arredondo earned third-team honors as return specialist and long snapper, respectively.
Both Durkin and Clark signed with Florida and are expected to take over as UF's starting kicker and punter in 2026. Durkin connected on 27 of 32 field goals for Tulane last season, including four from 50 yards or longer. Clark averaged 46.5 yards per punt with 16 of his 48 punts downed inside the 20-yard line.
“Coach Galante has proven to be one of the best special teams coordinators in the country and has SEC experience,” Sumrall said. “His units have consistently ranked among the nation’s best and he’s put players in a position to succeed and earn conference, national and All-America honors.”
Florida football strength and conditioning coach Rusty Whitt
Whitt was hired as the program's director of football performance. He brings not only an impressive strength and conditioning coaching background of 30 years to the Gators, but also a distinguished military career.
He served as a Senior Special Forces Communication Sergeant in the 10th Special Forces Group and was a member of the U.S. Army from August 2003 to January 2009 where he was deployed to Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) V and VI. In that span, Whitt developed and initiated a comprehensive pre-deployment conditioning program for his Special Forces Team prior to and during OIF V and VI. He received a combat infantry badge, two Iraqi campaign medals and an Army commendation medal with valor.
Whitt's strength and conditioning coaching experience includes stints at Louisiana (2010-15), Texas Tech (2016-18), Army (2019), Troy (2020-23) and Tulane (2025).
“Being named the Director of Football Performance for the Florida Gators football team is both thrilling and humbling, and an immense honor,” Whitt said. “I understand the extremely intense environment we are stepping in to. Gator Nation expects and demands excellence. I will bring a world-class performance staff that will embrace the pressure at Florida and we will soon get to work on developing and sustaining SEC Championship-level athletes."
Florida football QB coach Joe Craddock
Craddock was hired as UF's quarterbacks coach after working as an offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach under Sumrall at Tulane (2024-25) and Troy (2022-23). A 14-year collegiate coaching veteran, Craddock coached tight ends for two years at UAB (2020-21) after two prior stints as offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach at Arkansas (2018-19) and SMU (2015-17). He began his career as a player development coach under Dabo Swinney at Clemson.
Craddock will work under Florida offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner to help develop UF quarterbacks Aaron Philo, Tramell Jones Jr., Will Griffin and Aidan Warner.
“Florida has always attracted elite quarterback prospects that I look forward to working with and developing." Craddock said. "I can’t wait to work with Coach Faulkner and the offensive staff to help bring back championships to Gainesville."
Florida football CB coach Brandon Harris
The 35-year-old Harris was hired as UF's cornerbacks coach after a successful season a UCF's secondary coach in 2025. At UCF, Harris contributed to a pass defense that ranked 25th in the country, allowing an average of 185.1 yards.
Prior to UCF, Harris served as stints as cornerbacks coach and interim defensive coordinator at Florida Atlantic (2022-24) and cornerbacks coach at FIU (2021). He played three seasons at cornerback for Miami (2008-10) before going on to a five-year NFL career with the Houston Texans, Tennessee Titans and Miami Dolphins.
During stints as an analyst at Florida State (2020) and at FIU (2021), Harris mentored seven future NFL Draft picks including defensive backs Asante Samuel Jr. (2021) and Renardo Green (2024).
“Coach Harris has a tremendous amount of in-state ties and has a proven track record, not only with performance on the field, but developing his players into NFL draft picks," Sumrall said.
Florida football S coach Chris Collins
Collins was hired as UF's safeties coach after serving as co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach under Brad White at Kentucky from 2021-25. He played a vital role in developing a Kentucky secondary that has had three-straight NFL draftees, including 2025 first round selection Maxwell Hairston, who was the highest-drafted defensive back in program history.
“Coach Collins brings great experience to our defensive staff, as well as an extensive history working alongside Coach Brad White,” Sumrall said. “Coach Collins will be a great asset for our program with his proven ability to develop and maximize the talent of his players.”
Florida football TE coach Evan McKissack
McKissack was a co-offensive coordinator/offensive line coach under Sumrall at Tulane from 2024-25 and coached tight ends and was an offensive recruiting coordinator under Sumrall at Troy from 2022-23. He also coached tight ends at Murray State from 2020-21,
"Coach McKissack is an innovative football mind and has experience coaching not only tight ends, but also offensive line, running backs and special teams among others," Sumrall said. "He will be invaluable on this staff with his knowledge and ability to get the most out of his players.”
Florida football passing game coordinator Trent McKnight
McKnight comes to Florida fresh off a two-year stint as Georgia Tech’s wide receivers coach, where he worked under Faulkner. Under McKnight, two Georgia Tech receivers — Jordan Allen (80.2) and Malik Rutherford (78.2) — finished in the top-10 in the ACC in Pro Football Focus receiving grade for 2025.
“Coach McKnight fits the bill on what we need on our offensive staff,” Sumrall said. “He has a ton of experience and is widely respected in college football for the job he does with his players. His relationship with Coach Faulkner will also benefit not only the staff, but our players.”
Florida football WR coach Marcus Davis
Davis was hired as UF's outside wide receivers coach after a three-year stint as Auburn's wide receivers coach.
In 2025, Davis guided a trio of Auburn wide receivers who all tallied over 25 receptions, 450 receiving yards and had at least two touchdowns. Cam Coleman led the Tigers with 708 receiving yards and five scores on 56 receptions, while Eric Singleton Jr. had a team-high 58 receptions for 534 yards and three touchdowns. Malcolm Simmons added 457 receiving yards on 25 receptions with two scores.
Prior to Auburn, Davis worked as a receivers coach at Hawaii (2021) and Georgia Southern (2022). A Boynton Beach native, Davis was a former receiver at Auburn from 2013-16 who tallied 83 receptions over four seasons.
“Coach Davis not only brings SEC coaching experience to our staff, but playing experience as well,” Sumrall said. “He’s a Florida native who was a team captain and has produced as both a player and coach."
Florida football LB coach Greg Gasparato
Gasparato comes to Florida after serving the past two seasons as defensive coordinator/safeties coach at Tulane under Sumrall from 2024-25. He also worked under Sumrall as defensive coordinator/safeties coach at Troy in 2023 and was an outside linebackers and safeties coach at Louisville from 2021-22.
“Being able to bring Coach Gasparato to Florida from Tulane is a huge win for our staff,” Sumrall said. “He has had many years of experience, not only being a position coach, but also as a defensive coordinator. His ability to get the most out of our linebacker group will be critical for the success of our defense.”
Florida football RB coach Chris Foster
Foster comes to Florida after serving as the running backs coach at Duke (2025) and Northwestern (2023-24).
Under Foster's guidance, Duke freshman running back Nate Sheppard put together a stellar 2025 season, rushing for 962 yards and 10 TDs on 5.4 yards per carry.
Foster will inherit standout rising junior UF running back Jadan Baugh, who announced he's returning to the Gators in a social media post on Jan. 6. Baugh rushed for 1,170 yards for UF last season.
“I’m so grateful for the opportunity to be at the University of Florida, a place built on excellence and championships, and to serve alongside Coach Sumrall, a true leader and proven winner,” Foster said. “This is an opportunity I embrace with pride and excitement for what’s ahead.”
Kevin Brockway is The Gainesville Sun’s Florida beat writer. Contact him at kbrockway@gannett.com. Follow him on X @KevinBrockwayG1. Read his coverage of the Gators’ national championship basketball season in “CHOMP-IONS!” — a hardcover coffee-table collector’s book from The Sun. Details at Florida.ChampsBook.com
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Florida football announces hiring of 12 new assistant coaches
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