Florida expected to hire Duke RBs coach Chris Foster, per report

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Duke running backs coach Chris Foster is expected to join Jon Surall’s staff at Florida, according to a report from On3’s Pete Nakos. Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports initially reported that Foster was a target for the position on Monday.

Foster was pursued by multiple SEC teams after spending the 2025 season with Duke. The tandem of Nate Sheppard and Anderson Castle rushed for 1,432 yards and 21 touchdowns under Foster as the Blue Devils claimed the ACC Championship. Sheppard ranked second in the ACC with 962 yards.

Before his time with Duke, Foster spent two seasons with Northwestern. He’s been coaching running backs since 2004, when he started his coaching career with Gardner-Webb. Along the way, Foster has made stops at Appalachian State, East Carolina, Georgia Southern and Maryville.

Notable running backs to play under Foster include 2022 Pro Football Focus All-America honorable mention Keaton Mitchell (ECU) and future NFL back Matt Breida (Georgia Southern).

Foster was a Broyles Award nominee in 2020. The Broyles Award goes to the top assistant coach in the nation.

Foster’s Coaching Career

  • 2025 – Duke (Running Backs)
  • 2023-24 – Northwestern University (Running Backs)
  • 2021-22 – East Carolina (Running Backs/Recruiting Coordinator)
  • 2019-20 – Georgia Southern (Associate Head Coach/Running Backs/ Recruiting Coordinator)
  • 2018 – Georgia Southern (Running Backs/Recruiting Coordinator)
  • 2016-17 – Georgia Southern (Running Backs)
  • 2015 – Maryville (Running Backs)
  • 2012-14 – Appalachian State (Running Backs)
  • 2004-11 – Gardner-Webb (Running Backs)

Jon Sumrall’s staff at Florida

Front office

Offense

Defense

  • Defensive Coordinator: Brad White
  • Defensive line coach/assistant head coach:Gerald Chatman
  • Inside linebackers coach: Greg Gasparato
  • Outside linebackers/EDGE coach: Byron Hardmon
  • Defensive backs/cornerbacks coach:Brandon Harris
  • Safeties coach:Chris Collins
  • STAR/nickelbacks coach: Dae’one Wilkins

Special Teams/Strength and Conditioning

  • Special teams coordinator: Jonathan Galante
  • Strength and conditioning: Rusty Whitt

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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida Gators football to add Duke RBs coach Chris Foster to staff

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