Aubrey Hill (82), here in action during the 1994 Florida State game, caught 86 passes and 18 touchdowns during his four UF seasons (1991-94)..
Gators Mourn Passing of Aubrey Hill
Monday, August 17, 2020 | Football, Chris Harry
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By: Chris Harry, Senior Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — When word came Sunday that former University of Florida wideout and current Florida International receivers coach Aubrey Hill had died unexpectedly, social media became flooded with tributes and memories of Hill, most of which focused on his gregarious ways, ubiquitous smile and upbeat attitude.
But Hill was an outstanding (albeit underrated) player on three Southeastern Conference championship teams, as well.
"He was a prime example of what these young men now-a-days need to look at and base their careers off of," said former UF first-team All-America receiver Reidel Anthony, who was a wide-eyed freshman playing behind Hill, then a senior, during the 1994 season. "Aubrey wasn't the biggest, wasn't the fastest, but he knew how good he was, and he knew how to maximize his athletic ability by just making the plays with the skills God gave him. He never tried to do too much, just what was asked of him."
Hill, 48, died in his hometown of Miami after what is being reported as a cancer-related illness, leaving behind wife, Shanae, a daughter and a son. He was set to enter his fourth season as FIU receivers coach, having taken the post in 2017 after leading his prep alma mater, Miami Carol City High, to the 2016 Class 6A state championship as head coach.
"Aubrey was loved and adored by so many who saw him not only as a coach, but as an amazing husband and father," FIU coach Butch Davis said in a release. "We mourn his loss, but we will also hold on to the great memories he left behind and how honored we all were to be a part of his life. We pray for his family and loved ones during this difficult time."
We are deeply saddened by the loss of former Gator WR and Coach Aubrey Hill. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family. pic.twitter.com/pFACnaclUY
Hill signed with UF in 1990 as part of Steve Spurrier's first recruiting class. After redshirting that fall, Hill was a prominent and productive member of Spurrier's early "Fun-N-Gun" days. On teams that featured the likes of big playmakers like Willie Jackson, Harrison Houston, Jack Jackson, Chris Doering, Ike Hilliard and Anthony, Hill just kind of showed up. A lot.
In four seasons, he caught 86 passes for 18 touchdowns and lent his hand to SEC title-winning teams in '91, '93 and '94.
"It was like you almost forgot about him because of how many good receivers were around then," said Doering, who roomed with Hill on the road and found a special bond despite their divergent backgrounds from Gainesville and Miami. "Aubrey became the glue of that position group. He did such a great job of bridging gaps between the different players. That's why we voted him captain. He had leadership qualities, and led by example and attitude."
Doering and Hill were involved in one of the most memorable plays of that UF championship era. It was during the 1994 SEC Championship against unbeaten Alabama, with Doering throwing a 20-yard completion to Hill off a wideout double-pass play in the fourth quarter that put the ball on the Crimson Tide 2. On the next play, Danny Wuerffel hit Doering for the go-ahead touchdown in an epic 24-23 victory that gave UF a second straight conference crown.
Aubrey Hill served as Will Muschamp's receivers coach in 2011-12.
It was Hill, Spurrier said, who was the first Gator wideout to regularly man the "Y" position (which subbed out the tight end) in those four-receiver sets of that time. He was awfully savvy when it came to finding creases in defenses, especially in key situations — 40 of the last 53 catches of his career went for first downs (that's 75.5 percent) — and also was a willing blocker.
Spurrier, in fact, recalled Hill being asked to "block down" on an Alabama defensive end in one of those SEC titles games.
"Danny audibled to a play and I guarantee we'd never practiced blocking the defensive end," Spurrier said. "But that big D-end, he thought something funny was happening, so he just kind of stood there, didn't even try to rush, while Aubrey was trying to block him. I told 'em all in film, 'That's what you call pass protection, right there.' "
And Hill was what you'd call a consummate teammate.
Devastated to hear of the passing of Aubrey Hill...one of the best teammates of all time...RIP #82 #aubreypost
"He never tried to do too much. Never went to Coach Spurrier and said, "Let me run a go route.' He was an intermediate receiver and chain-mover who was going to kill you with digs and posts," Anthony said. "He didn't try to draw attention to himself, didn't care about the spotlight. He just handed the ball to the ref and went about his business. Aubrey loved playing football, loved the family atmosphere and loved being part of winning."
Hill graduated from UF in 1995 and became a graduate assistant on the staff of Spurrier's 1996 national-championship team. He went on to full-time assistant posts at Duke, Elon, Pittsburgh and Miami before returning to the Gators in 2011 as a member of Will Muschamp's staff.
His former teammates were stunned to learn of his passing Sunday, as Hill kept his health struggles mostly private.
The accolades sent his way via Twitter and the like (dozens of them) were anything but.
"Shocked and heartbroken," Doering said. "Great player. Great teammate. Even better person."
