Report: Florida to hire Kirk Callahan as DB coach

By Adam Silverstein
January 4, 2015

Though still largely unannounced, new head coach Jim McElwain‘s first Florida Gators coaching staff appears to be near-complete.

According to ESPN recruiting analyst Derek Tyson, Central Florida defensive backs coach Kirk Callahan has accepted the same position with Florida.

Callahan, a former Gators graduate assistant (2010-11), is a relatively young coach – especially compared with the rest of Florida’s hires – as the UCF job he’s held since 2012 is his first true assistant gig.

Prior to that, he played for the Knights, served as a student assistant there in 2007 and was a graduate assistant for two years at North Carolina (2008-09)


Reports on Saturday had the Gators set to hire Western Kentucky’s Greg Nord as tight ends coach/special teams coordinator and Oakland Raiders’ defensive line coach Terrell Williams to the same position on Florida’s staff.

A number of other assistant hires have been reported over the last week but not yet confirmed by the Gators.

On Tuesday, OnlyGators.com first reported that director of strength and conditioning Jeff Dillman would leave Florida following its bowl game. Early Saturday morning, the Orlando Sentinel noted that Colorado State’s Mike Kent will take that open position.

On Wednesday, OnlyGators.com confirmed other reports that UF would poach Arkansas linebackers coach Randy Shannon to the same position. The next day, a report since confirmed by the Sentinel had CSU assistant Tim Skipper prepared to join Florida as running backs coach.

These reported hires come as McElwain has only officially announced two of his assistant coaches – defensive coordinator Geoff Collins and offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier – to this point.

Should all of these reports come to fruition, the Gators will already have seven of nine assistants – plus a strength and conditioning coordinator – in place. Florida is also expected to retain offensive line coach Mike Summers, leaving one spot (wide receivers coach) available on McElwain’s initial staff.

15 Comments

  1. corey says:

    I wonder if he’ll keep Leak at WR coach. Any word on what Leak is doing?

  2. Dave massey says:

    Hope he is saving the best for last. WR coach might be the most important assistant hire for the gators long term success.

  3. W2 says:

    Now if they can keep guys from transferring and get a few more commits. Go Gators

  4. Aligator says:

    adam, do you think he may keep brian white on and move him to WR coach?

  5. Oldflyer says:

    I keep hearing Mike Groh’s name and wonder why. I was a ticket holder when he was the QB at UVA and he was competent–beat FSU. He left football and went into the business world. Then his father brought him back as a coach, and ultimately made him QB coach/ OC at UVA–a disastrous decision.

    I do not know how much his father’s name has contributed to his more recent career opportunities.

    He is suspect in my mind.

    Maybe JMac wants to sprinkle some youth in the staff; or maybe the rumors are bogus.

  6. MoreyS says:

    They need to hire a big time receivers coach—leak didn’t have any clue about coaching the position

  7. SaraGator says:

    Solid hire.

  8. 1974Gator says:

    I wish you had gone into more detail as to whether you feel Callahan is a good hire. Seems a little sketchy. Why is this 2+ year BD assistant coach qualified to coach the likes of Tabor and Hargreaves?

  9. KarVer says:

    Hoping that they hire someone from the NFL, with college coaching experience to the WR coaching position.

  10. SeanD says:

    What about Wes Chandler for Receivers coach? I know he has held that position on many levels HS, Coll. & pro, as well as in the Under Armour camp/game. Wonder what his availability/interest is?

  11. Conky3000 says:

    I heard Billy Napier’s name from Alabama being thrown around as WR coach a few weeks ago. Still a possibility?

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