GAINESVILLE — Florida secondary coach Will Harris is leaving for the Miami Hurricanes after one season when the again finish of the Gators improved dramatically.
Harris’ exodus, confirmed by a supply to the Orlando Sentinel, leaves UF with the NCAA restrict 10 assistant coaches however with out somebody to teach cornerbacks. Harris was set to supervise the place after head coach Billy Napier employed Vinnie Sunseri as co-defensive coordinator additionally in command of teaching safeties.
Underneath Harris, the group’s defensive backs totaled 11 of the group’s 14 interceptions a season after Florida managed simply 3 picks, tied with Temple for the fewest in school soccer.
A local of Pasadena, Calif., Harris performed at USC from 2005-09 for Pete Carroll and arrived after serving in 2023 as an assistant secondary coach for the Los Angeles Chargers. The 37-year-old had a singular teaching type, permitting his gamers to sort out him decked out in full pads.
Earlier than his NFL stint, Harris’ strategies helped the College of Washington lead the nation in fewest passing yards allowed (142.9), touchdowns allowed (6) and yards yielded per try (5.4). The 2023 Gators allowed a mean of 8.3 yards per try, tied for 119th nationally amongst 131 groups, however minimize it 7 yards per try in 2024, or tied for 52nd of 134 groups.
Harris will be part of Miami assistant Zac Etheridge to supervise flip round a Hurricanes’ secondary quarterback DJ Lagway and Gators will face Sept. 20 in South Florida. UF opened the 2024 with a 41-17 house loss to the Hurricanes.
Edgar Thompson will be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com