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Florida reportedly targeting former Alabama DB Vinnie Sunseri for spot on Billy Napier’s staff
Florida interviewed former Alabama defensive back and Washington assistant Vinnie Sunseri on Friday and is working to bring him on staff, according to a report from FootballScoop’s John Brice.
Sunseri, 33, would fill the on-field assistant opening left by former Florida defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong, though it’s not immediately clear what his exact role would be. Sunseri was recently hired by Jacksonville State to be the program’s new defensive coordinator following 1 season as the safeties coach at Washington.
A former safety at Alabama, Sunseri was a fifth-round draft pick of the New Orleans Saints in the 2014 NFL Draft. He moved into coaching in 2019, initially landing a job as a graduate assistant at Alabama. He then took a job on the New England Patriots’ staff in 2020 and, from 2021-23, coached the team’s running backs.
Last offseason, Sunseri left the Patriots to join Jedd Fisch in Washington. The Huskies notably led the FBS in yards per pass allowed last fall (5.7). Safeties Kamren Fabiculanan and Makell Esteen finished third and sixth on the team in total tackles, respectively.
Sunseri has ties to Florida and Billy Napier both. Sunseri was still a player for the Crimson Tide when Napier was on the Alabama staff. And Sunseri’s father, Sal, was Florida’s defensive line coach in 2018 under former head coach Dan Mullen.
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.