Gators Hire UCF's Brandon Harris as DB Coach

Florida Gators head coach Jon Sumrall has added Brandon Harris to his inaugural staff as defensive backs coach, snatching the 35-year-old away from the University of Central Florida and thwarting a potential move to in-state rival Florida State.

The hiring, reported on December 12, 2025, comes less than two weeks after Sumrall's appointment following Billy Napier's dismissal. Harris, a Miami native and former NFL cornerback, had been expected to join Florida State's staff under Mike Norvell to replace Patrick Surtain Sr. Instead, he will work in Gainesville, bolstering Florida's defensive unit amid ongoing staff renovations.

Harris brings seven years of college coaching experience, including stints at Florida International University, Florida Atlantic University and UCF. At FAU, he served as cornerbacks coach, co-defensive coordinator and interim defensive coordinator, developing all-conference talent such as freshman CJ Heard, who recorded 82 tackles in 2024. He joined UCF in February 2025 on a two-year contract worth $275,000 annually, inheriting a secondary with over a dozen returning players, including safety Braeden Marshall. The Knights added seven transfers, among them...