Former Florida Gators WR Aubrey Hill Passes Away

Former Florida Gators wide receiver Aubrey Hill passed away this afternoon, sources have confirmed to Sports Illustrated's John Garcia. He was 48 years old.

According to 247Sports, Hill was battling an undisclosed illness.

Hill spent his college playing career at the University of Florida from 1991-94, playing wide receiver where he caught 87 passes for 1,454 yards and 18 touchdowns during Florida's first three SEC Championship-winning seasons.

Following his college career, Hill began a coaching career as a graduate assistant for Florida, spending three years with the Gators before serving on Duke, Elon, Pittsburgh, and Miami's staffs. Hill returned to Florida in 2011 under head coach Will Muschamp as the team's wide receivers coach before resigning shortly before the 2012 season.

Hill served as Miami Carol City High School's head coach from 2013-16, leading the Chiefs to a state championship in 2016 with now-Gators running back Nay'Quan Wright on the team. He was named the 2016 Miami Dolphins High School Coach of the year and a finalist for the 2016 Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year.

A quick gig with Marshall led to Hill's most recent position as wide receivers coach for Florida International.

Hill's friends, players, and peers shared their reactions on social media shortly following the news.

Deeply saddened to hear that one of my all-time favorite players has passed away. Aubrey Hill was one of our co-captains in 1994. He was the first wide receiver that I ever used as a tight end.
— Coach Steve Spurrier (@SteveSpurrierUF) August 17, 2020

He will always be remembered as a truly wonderful teammate and Gator. He will be missed. Rest In Peace.
— Coach Steve Spurrier (@SteveSpurrierUF) August 17, 2020

RIP Coach Aubrey Hill smh... Praying for his family man. Wow
— DeMarcus Van Dyke (@Coach_DVD) August 16, 2020

Fly High Coach Hill 😢🕊. I’m dedicating this season for you Unc.#chiefpride pic.twitter.com/nTJ6aP8AIx
— 🕋 (@AbYasiir) August 16, 2020

This is devastating news. Aubrey Hill was truly one of the best people I had ever worked with. He wasn’t just a great football coach, he cared about making a difference in his players’ lives and in the communities he coached. RIP coach, my condolences to everyone who loved him 🙏 https://t.co/rLrSIlM2ck
— Zach Soskin (@ZSoskin) August 16, 2020

RIP Coach Aubrey Hill 🙏🙏🙏 for his family.
— Florida FIRE Football (@coachmarroquin) August 16, 2020

I loved Aubrey Hill. God bless his family.
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) August 16, 2020