Florida set to hire defensive backs coach from rival SEC program, per report
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Florida is on the verge of filling another spot on its 2026 coaching staff with the hire of Chris Collins as a defensive backs coach, according to a report by CBS Sports on Saturday afternoon.
Brandon Marcello and Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports reported that the Gators are set to hire Collins, and they would be simultaneously filling a spot on their staff and taking someone away from a rival SEC program. That’s because Collins has spent the past 5 seasons at Kentucky, where he’s worked most recently as a co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach.
According to another report by Marcello on Saturday, if Florida and Collins are able to agree on a deal, then Collins would coach the Gators’ safeties while recent hire Brandon Harris would shift to coaching the UF cornerbacks.
If the hire of Collins comes to fruition, it would be another spot filled by Florida for the 2026 season as incoming head coach Jon Sumrall continues to put together his own staff. Sumrall is a little busy right now with hands in multiple programs, as he’s getting ready to coach Tulane in next week’s College Football Playoff first-round game against Ole Miss.
But while he tries to finish his job as Tulane head coach in the best possible way this postseason, he’s also looking toward 2026 in Gainesville and trying to put together his new staff.
If Saturday’s CBS Sports reports are correct, he’s a little closer to doing just that.
Cory Nightingale, a former sportswriter and sports editor at the Miami Herald and Palm Beach Post, is a South Florida-based freelance writer who covers Alabama for SaturdayDownSouth.com.
