(Photo via Russ Callaway.)
The Florida Gators have a new tight ends coach.
Russ Callaway, who spent the 2022 season as an analyst for Billy Napier’s Gators, will be promoted from his prior role of offensive analyst to the role of tight ends coach, according to multiple reports including On3. Callaway had previously spent time as an analyst with the New York Giants in 2021 and LSU in 2020.
Russ Callaway also served as an assistant at Samford for five years. He was their wide receivers coach in 2015 and 2016 before spending the next three years as the Bulldogs’ offensive coordinator and QB coach. Before his stint at Samford, Callaway served for two years as the recruiting coordinator and receivers coach at Murray State.
Callaway’s first coaching assignment came for Nick Saban at Alabama. He served as a defensive analyst under defensive coordinator Kirby Smart, helping the Alabama defense finish as the best in the country in yards per game in both 2011 and 2012. The Crimson Tide won the national championship in each of those two seasons.
The Gators officially began spring practice without a tight ends coach after William Peagler left for the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals in February. In doing so, he joined defensive coordinator Patrick Toney. Florida also lost wide receivers coach Keary Colbert to the Denver Broncos.
At the first few spring practice sessions, Russ Callaway was spotted watching the Florida tight ends. This move- as the move of Corey Raymond coaching all defensive backs was- may have actually been made prior to the announcement today.
Either way, the Gators now have one less coaching spot to fill.
