Florida adding former UCF DBs coach Brandon Harris to staff

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Former UCF defensive backs coach Brandon Harris is joining Jon Sumrall's staff at Florida in the same capacity, according to a report from CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz.

Sumrall swept the rug from under Mike Norvell and Florida State after reports came in earlier in the week that Harris would join the Seminoles. With a five-year history of coaching in the Sunshine State, Harris is a big addition for the Gators from both a coaching and recruiting standpoint.

A former second-round pick who played college ball for the Miami Hurricanes, Harris started his coaching career in Dade County with Florida International University as a graduate assistant in 2019. He joined Florida State as a defensive analyst in 2020 and then returned to FIU as a position coach overseeing the cornerbacks. Florida Atlantic brought him on in the same role in 2022, promoting him to co-defensive coordinator the next season.

Harris joined UCF in 2025 and helped the Knights put together one of the best passing defenses in program history. UCF allowed just 185.1 passing yards per game, the third-lowest since the Knights became an FBS program in 1996. The Black and Gold ranked 25th nationally in pass defense.

Having spent time in programs all throughout South Florida, Harris gives Sumrall a direct pipeline to one of the nation's hotbeds of high school football talent.

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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida Gators football hiring UCF DB coach Brandon Harris

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