Running List of Florida Gators Coaching Staff Changes Under Jon Sumrall

As Jon Sumrall pieces together his first coaching staff with the Florida Gators, Florida Gators on SI is keeping track of each coaching change.

Florida Gators head coach Jon Sumrall is putting together his first staff with the program. | Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images

GAINESVILLE, Fla.-- As Jon Sumrall pieces together his first coaching staff with the Florida Gators, Florida Gators on SI is keeping track of each coaching change.

At his introductory press conference, Sumrall said his staff would have a mix of existing staffers, staffers he worked with at prior stops and staffers he has never worked with before.

 "I don't hire a staff off of who are my buddies," he explained. "I hire a staff based upon what is the absolute best group of people we can put together to serve and develop our players and win championships at that place."

Below is a list of Sumrall's staff changes, where old coaches ended up, and where the new coaches came from.

Staff Changes

Coaches

Position	2024 Coach	Where They Ended Up	2025 Coach	Where They Came From
Offensive Coordinator	Russ Callaway		(expected) Buster Faulkner	Georgia Tech
Quarterbacks	Ryan O'Hara		(expected) Faulkner	Georgia Tech
Running Backs	Jabbar Juluke
Wide Receivers	Billy Gonzales
Tight Ends	Callaway
Offensive line	Rob Sale / Jon Decoster
Defensive Coordinator	Ron Roberts	Arkansas	Brad White	Kentucky
Defensive Line	Gerald Chatman	Retained by Florida	Chatman	Retained by Florida
Edge Rushers	Mike Peterson
Linebackers	Robert Bala
Corners	Deron Wilson
Safeties	Vinnie Sunseri
Special Teams	Joe Houston
Strength and Conditioning	Tyler Myles

Sumrall Tabs Coordinators

Sumrall's first coaching hires with the Gators were Kentucky's Brad White as the defensive coordinator and Georgia Tech's Buster Faulkner as the offensive coordinator. Sumrall confirmed on Dec. 4, three days after Sumrall's first press conference at Florida.

"Extremely thankful to Coach Sumrall for this exciting opportunity" White said. "I'm ready to hit the ground running on helping construct a defense that will make Gator Nation proud. Coach has already stated the vision - be the most feared defense in college football. Now comes the hard work necessary to make that vision a reality.  And while scheme has its importance, the most critical focus we'll have as a defensive staff will be to develop the highly-talented playmakers we recruit and demand that they play with a pace and violence second to none."

UK defensive coordinator Brad White was hired as the Florida Gators' defensive coordinator. | Matt Stone/Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK

White spent the last seven seasons as Kentucky's defensive coordinator, three of which with Sumrall on staff and one season with Sumrall as a co-defensive coordinator.

"Brad is one of the best defensive minds in football and I'm thrilled he will be joining us in Gainesville," Sumrall said. "Brad has led one of the best defenses in the SEC the last seven years and has extensive experience in the NFL as well. His defenses possess the exact characteristics we are going to have here at Florida and I can't think of a better leader for that unit."

Meanwhile, Faulkner was reported to be Florida's next offensive coordinator the same day. He spent the last three seasons at Georgia Tech, leading one of the nation's top rushing offenses. Faulkner has not been officially confirmed as the offensive coordinator by Florida.

Retainment, Departures Begin

On Dec. 8, days after Sumrall led Tulane to an American Conference title and berth in the College Football Playoff, multiple changes were reported with Florida's existing staff.

To start, receivers coach Billy Gonzales, who also served as the interim head coach, as well as running backs coach Jabbar Juluke and offensive line coaches Rob Sale and Jonathan Decoster were all reported to not be retained, while defensive line coach Gerald Chatman was reported to be retained.

Defensive line coach Gerald Chatman will be retained under new Florida Gators head coach Jon Sumrall. | Kyle Lander / Florida Gators on SI

Before those reported staff changes, defensive coordinator Ron Roberts was reported to be the top target for Arkansas' defensive coordinator job.

Staff members who have not had future plans reported are offensive coordinator/tight ends coach Russ Callaway, edge rushers coach Mike Peterson, linebackers coach Robert Bala, corners coach Deron Wilson, safeties coach Vinnie Sunseri, special teams coordinator Joe Houston and strength and conditioning coordinator Tyler Miles.