Gators head coach Jim McElwain, right, has an opening on his staff to replace defensive coordinator Geoff Collins, left. (Photo: Tim Casey/UAA Communications)
McElwain: Gators Already Working to Replace Collins
Tuesday, December 13, 2016 | Football, Scott Carter
Geoff Collins heads to Temple as head coach after two seasons as UF's defensive coordinator.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Gators head coach Jim McElwain confirmed Monday that defensive coordinator Geoff Collins has been hired as head coach at Temple.
Collins was McElwain's first assistant-coach hire after McElwain took over the Gators in December 2014. Collins came to UF after four years at Mississippi State and directed a UF defense that has finished in the top 10 nationally in each of the last two seasons.
"We're really excited about the opportunity for him and his family at Temple,'' McElwain said.
Collins replaces Matt Rhule at Temple. Rhule recently left the Owls to take over as head coach at Baylor.
The Gators (8-4) are preparing to face Iowa (8-4) in the Outback Bowl on Jan. 2 in Tampa. With Collins' departure, co-coordinator Randy Shannon is "absolutely" in consideration for the position according to McElwain. Shannon is a veteran defensive coach who served as head coach at Miami from 2007-10.
McElwain didn't specify a timetable for when a new defensive coordinator would be hired.
"We've got some things in the works,'' McElwain said. "It just kind of happened. As a coach, you prepare for this thing. We have a plan moving forward."
Collins is the second UF assistant in recent years to become head coach at Temple. Former Gators offensive coordinator Steve Addazio left UF after the 2010 season to take over the Owls.
The Gators have added significant personnel in their football office under McElwain to help offset coaching transitions.
"He's not the only one on our staff that's been contacted,'' McElwain said. "That's pretty cool, that people are taking notice of what we're doing."
Collins was McElwain's first assistant-coach hire after McElwain took over the Gators in December 2014. Collins came to UF after four years at Mississippi State and directed a UF defense that has finished in the top 10 nationally in each of the last two seasons.
"We're really excited about the opportunity for him and his family at Temple,'' McElwain said.
Collins replaces Matt Rhule at Temple. Rhule recently left the Owls to take over as head coach at Baylor.
The Gators (8-4) are preparing to face Iowa (8-4) in the Outback Bowl on Jan. 2 in Tampa. With Collins' departure, co-coordinator Randy Shannon is "absolutely" in consideration for the position according to McElwain. Shannon is a veteran defensive coach who served as head coach at Miami from 2007-10.
McElwain didn't specify a timetable for when a new defensive coordinator would be hired.
"We've got some things in the works,'' McElwain said. "It just kind of happened. As a coach, you prepare for this thing. We have a plan moving forward."
Collins is the second UF assistant in recent years to become head coach at Temple. Former Gators offensive coordinator Steve Addazio left UF after the 2010 season to take over the Owls.
The Gators have added significant personnel in their football office under McElwain to help offset coaching transitions.
"He's not the only one on our staff that's been contacted,'' McElwain said. "That's pretty cool, that people are taking notice of what we're doing."
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