Virginia Tech's Torrian Gray expected to become Florida DBs coach
Virginia Tech defensive secondary coach and passing game coordinator Torrian Gray is expected to become the new defensive backs coach under Florida coach Jim McElwain, according to a source.
The expected hiring of Gray would be a coup for McElwain. Gray would replace Kirk Callahan, with whom Florida parted ways after the 2015 season. Gray is a respected recruiter who is expected to help Florida's reach and an excellent teacher of fundamentals.
The 41-year-old has held his position at Virginia Tech since 2006 and had the title of defensive passing game coordinator the past three seasons. He was retained by new Hokies coach Justin Fuente, who was hired to replace longtime coach Frank Beamer after this past season.
Gray was assistant defensive backs coach for the NFL’s Chicago Bears from 2004-05 and spent the three seasons before that as Connecticut’s defensive backs coach.
A Lakeland, Fla. native, Gray got his start in coaching as Maine’s defensive backs coach from 2000-02. He played safety for the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings from 1997-99 and for Virginia Tech from 1992-96.
Gray would join McElwain’s staff at Florida after the Gators went 10–4 and earned a Citrus Bowl berth in McElwain’s debut season. He also led them to an SEC East title and a berth in the SEC Championship Game. That marked a rapid improvement from Florida’s 7–5 record in its final season under Will Muschamp in 2014.
McElwain helped the Gators haul in the 10th-ranked recruiting class in the nation, according to Scout.com.
