Brandon Harris expected to be hired by UF, passes on FSU football job

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Until the ink dries, nothing is ever official.

Brandon Harris was expected to be the next defensive backs coach for Florida State football, first reported on Wednesday, Dec. 10, but a late twist of fate now sees Harris set to join Florida’s coaching staff in the same role, according to a report from CBS Sports.

Sources confirmed to the Tallahassee Democrat that Harris was expected to be hired, but without official paperwork ever signed, Florida swooped in late to add him to Jon Summerall’s inaugural staff.

He is the younger brother of current FSU wide receiver coach Tim Harris Jr, and son of legendary South Florida high school football coach Tim Harris Sr., who gave an interview to On3, sharing his excitement about his two sons potentially coaching at FSU. Harris is a rising star in the coaching world, recently named to the 2026 AFCA 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute class ― a prestigious program designed to identify and develop premier, future leaders in the football coaching profession

Harris spent three seasons at FAU and was elevated to co-defensive coordinator and cornerbacks coach in 2024, a year before his departure to UCF, where he last coached.

A former Miami standout defensive back, Harris was drafted in the second round of the 2011 NFL draft. He spent six seasons in the NFL, playing with the Houston Texans, Tennessee Titans, and Miami Dolphins. He briefly played in the Canadian Football League following his NFL career.

Liam Rooney covers Florida State athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at LRooney@gannett.com or on Twitter @__liamrooney.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU football loses out on potential DB coach Brandon Harris

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