Gators Let Go of Two Coaches
Just two days after the season-ending loss to arch-rival Florida State 24-15, the Florida Gators have reportedly let go of two defensive assistants on their coaching staff.
According to a report from Orlando Sentinel’s Edgar Thompson, the Florida Gators have parted ways with Co-Defensive Coordinator and Defensive Line coach Sean Spencer and secondary coach Corey Raymond.
Both Spencer and Raymond were hired by Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier when he arrived in Gainesville two seasons ago.
Of the first moves to be made by the Gators coaching staff, these two moves are not entirely surprising, given how Florida’s defense has performed the last two seasons.
Former Florida Gators cornerbacks coach Corey Raymond – David Bowie/Gator Country
Raymond, who came to Gainesville from LSU, was a big hire on paper back in 2021. Raymond’s resume of producing elite cornerbacks and getting them drafted in the NFL was astounding at LSU, but his unit has not performed very well on the field under his tutelage at Florida.
Florida finished 68th in the FBS in passing yards allowed, allowing 2,720 yards, 226.7 yards per game, 13.95 yards per completion, and 18 passing touchdowns. Florida finished 129th (which is last in the country) in the FBS in interceptions with just three on the season, tied with Temple.
Former Florida Gators defensive line coach Sean Spencer – David Bowie/Gator Country
Given the play on the field by Florida’s defensive line, Florida parting ways with Spencer makes sense. The coach they call “Coach” was coaching a unit that was talented, but didn’t perform well this season. Spencer came over to Florida from the New York Giants and was at Penn State prior to that.
Florida finished 77th in the FBS in rushing defense, allowing 1,867 total yards, 155.6 yards per game, 4.84 yards per carry and 21 rushing touchdowns. Florida finished the season 90th in the FBS in sacks with 22.
Florida finished 69th in the FBS in total defense, allowing 4,587 total yards, 6.44 yards per play, and 382.2 yards per game. Florida finished 78th in scoring defense, allowing 27.58 points per game. Florida was 44th in the FBS in third down conversion percentage, allowing a third down conversion on 35.9& of attempts.
Florida finished 109th in the FBS (tied with Colorado State) in red zone defense, allowing opponents to score 35 out of 40 (87.5%) red zone attempts (13 rushing touchdowns, 10 passing touchdowns, and 15 field goals).
Simply put, Florida’s defense did not play well this season, thus, the parting of ways with Spencer and Raymond.
Some lowlights from the 2023 season include Kentucky RB Ray Davis recording 280 rushing yards and three touchdowns, allowing LSU’s offense to put up 701 yards of total offense, which is a program record for the Gators, and allowing a 27-yard completion on 4th and 17 against Missouri with 1:36 remaining in the game. That conversion then led to Missouri kicking the game-winning field goal four plays later.
It is uncertain as of right now who Florida will look to fill those two positions. These two moves are not going to be the last ones made either, as Florida has a busy offseason of changes ahead of them.
