Report: Western Kentucky Hiring Florida Analyst Jamar Chaney

Photo: Jamar Chaney; Credit: University of Florida athletic association

Florida linebackers analyst Jamar Chaney is leaving the Gators for an on-field coaching position at Western Kentucky, according to Matt Zenitz of On3 Sports.

Chaney is expected to be named the Hilltoppers' outside linebackers coach, marking the first on-field role of his young coaching career.

He returned to Florida in 2022 under then-new head coach Billy Napier, having previously served as assistant director of player personnel for the Gators in 2019 under former head coach Dan Mullen. In between those stops, Chaney took on the role of senior defensive analyst for his alma mater Mississippi State for the 2020-21 seasons.

In addition to his duties as the linebacker coach's assistant, Chaney was a pivotal member of Florida's recruiting staff during both of his stints in Gainesville. In a supporting role, Chaney's strong ties throughout the Sunshine State as a Fort Pierce native-turned-NFL player allowed him to build relationships with prospects in his role well before on-field coaches were allowed to contact such a recruit.

Look no further than one of Billy Napier's biggest wins on the recruiting trail with the Gators to date for example, class of 2022 safety Kamari Wilson, who picked Florida over Georgia, Texas A&M, LSU and Florida State in Dec. 2021. Wilson, too, is from Fort Pierce, and he opted for UF within weeks of Napier and Chaney's arrivals.

"I think Jamar actually was the person that offered Kamari his first scholarship offer, right? We actually were there at IMG [Academy], had a good talk. He said, 'Hey, coach, I think you need to go see my mom, and we quickly made a quick trip over there. Next thing you know I'm standing in a Sam's talking to Ms. Wilson, and it was really good.

"So they agreed to take the visit. We had an incredible weekend, and I think Kamari made a life-changing decision."

A class of 2020 recruit who interacted with Chaney as a prospect, Gators edge rusher Antwaun Powell-Ryland Jr. wished the coach well in his endeavor on Tuesday evening.

“I want to congrats him for sure," Powell-Ryland said. "They [coaches] put in hard work just like we do to get somewhere better. I’m grateful that he got to coach us.”

Chaney was a seventh-round selection by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2010 NFL Draft after a productive four-year career at Mississippi State. He spent five seasons in the pros, collecting 163 tackles, one sack, nine tackles for loss, three interceptions, 10 pass breakups and a forced fumble in 54 games.

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