It’s official – Randy Shannon is Florida’s new defensive coordinator.

The Gators announced Shannon’s promotion Friday morning. The former Miami head coach (2007-10) joined Jim McElwain’s staff at the start of the coach’s tenure, taking on the role of associate head coach, co- defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. He replaces Geoff Collins, who accepted the head coaching position at Temple after two seasons as UF’s defensive coordinator.

Shannon has previously been a defensive coordinator with the Miami Dolphins (1998-99) and Hurricanes (2001-06). He served as the interim defensive coordinator in Monday’s Outback Bowl, when the Gators topped Iowa 30-3, an all-time low score for UF bowl opponents.

“I appreciate the opportunity Coach Mac has given me to be the defensive coordinator at the University of Florida,” Shannon said in a school release. “We will continue to work together as we have the past two years to put together a plan so our players are in a position to be successful in football and in life.”

McElwain credits Shannon with playing a large part in the Gators’ top-10 defenses of the past two seasons.

“Coach Shannon has been a big part of our success over the last two years,” McElwain said. “It’s been really cool to watch him handle his business. He really connects with our players and they have a lot of respect for him. More than being a great coach, he is a great mentor and teacher to these young men and that is one of our greatest measuring sticks as coaches.”

With the internal promotion, it means McElwain has another hire to make to fill the open spot on the staff. The Gators have reportedly been in contact with two Alabama staffers, analyst Mike Locksley and offensive line/tight ends coach Mario Cristobal.

The announcement of Shannon to defensive coordinator does not state whether he will continue to coach linebackers. If Shannon does not, it is possible McElwain will move current running backs coach Tim Skipper to that spot. Skipper coached linebackers under McElwain at Colorado State (2012-14) and prior to that at Fresno State (2009-11).