Florida football announces Gerald Chatman will be back as DL coach, assistant HC

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Florida football officially named Gerald Chatman as its defensive line coach and assistant head football coach on Friday, December 19.

Chatman was retained from the prior Florida Gators staff and chose to stay at UF despite being pursued by LSU. He's spent the last two seasons as UF's defensive line coach and worked briefly with new UF coach Jon Sumrall when the two were at Tulane.

"When I first arrived in Gainesville, one of my first tasks was to retain Coach Chatman on our staff," Sumrall said. "I've always respected Coach Chatman – the type of coach he is and how he leads his players. He is a great developer of talent and one of the best defensive line coaches in the country. I couldn't be more excited to coach with him."

UF's defensive line did a solid job under Chatman despite losing one of its top players, preseason All-SEC defensive tackle Caleb Banks, most of the season to a broken foot. Chatman was responsible for the development of the 6-6, 330-pound Banks during his breakout 2024 season, in which he finished with 7 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks.

Chatman made $775,000 in 2025 and will likely be in line for another raise with a new title this upcoming season.

"My family and I are blessed  to be a part of the University of Florida, the UAA and the Gainesville community," Chatman said. "We are grateful and embrace the opportunity to work with Coach Sumrall and his family. He will lead with toughness, grit and character which will result in winning and sustaining a winning culture."

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 retaining Gerald Chatman as DL coach, assistant HC

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