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Ron Roberts, Auburn DC, reportedly hired by rival SEC program
By Sydney Hunte
Published:
Ron Roberts appears set to depart Auburn for a new job, and it’s in the SEC. Roberts is set to join Florida as its “executive head coach for defense, co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach”, according to 247Sports’ Matt Zenitz.
It would be the latest stop for Roberts, who joined Auburn last year after 3 seasons at Baylor as its defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach. And it would reunite Roberts with Billy Napier, under whom he served as defensive coordinator at Louisiana in 2018 and 2019.
Florida is expected to hire Auburn defensive coordinator Ron Roberts as executive head coach for defense, co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach, sources tell @247sportshttps://t.co/dJORJ80Uo5 pic.twitter.com/t0HC2tGxVs
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) January 8, 2024
The 2024 season could be a turning point for the Gators as it will enter its 3rd season under Napier. Since being hired away from Louisiana after a 40-12 mark in Lafayette, he is 11-14 at the helm of Florida, including identical 3-5 SEC records in 2022 and 2023. Florida was No. 4 in the SEC in total defense and points allowed this past season under Austin Armstrong but ranked 4th-from-bottom in rushing yards allowed.
Armstrong appears to be remaining with the program despite Roberts’ arrival with the 2 expected to jointly coach the defense.
Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.