While there is speculation that Charlie Strong may be joining Dan Mullen’s Florida staff this offseason, one former South Florida coach with ties to the Gators is reportedly returning to Gainesville.

According to Joey Knight of The Tampa Bay Times, former South Florida offensive coordinator Kerwin Bell has been hired by Mullen as an offensive analyst. Bell played quarterback at Florida and was inducted into the University of Florida Athletics Hall of Fame in 1997.

Back in 1984, Bell was named SEC Player of the Year and led the Gators to a 9-1-1 record. Bell is also in the Florida–Georgia Hall of Fame and was twice named honorable mention All-American.

Bell briefly served as an assistant with the Gators back in 1990 as he began his coaching career that spans from high school to the CFL to college football. Before landing at South Florida, Bell was the head coach at Valdosta State University.

It’s not clear how this move, if at all, will affect Strong’s upcoming decision but having a coach he’s previously worked with on staff in Gainesville may help the former Gator defensive coordinator make his decision. Strong served on staff in Gainesville from 2003 until 2009 before he landed the head coaching position at Louisville.

UPDATE: Knight has updated his reporting regarding Bell landing at Florida with this note:

“Some stories are fluid, like this one: While I still believe Kerwin Bell is headed back to Gainesville, it’s not a slam dunk yet. No hire officially has been made at this point.”