Gators assistant coach Tim Brewster during his first training camp at Florida. (Photo: Kevin Camps/UAA Communications)
Brewster Brings Gators Energy, Experience and Enthusiasm
Thursday, September 10, 2020 | Football, Scott Carter
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By: Scott Carter, Senior Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – As the Gators concluded practice Wednesday night, one of those boisterous Florida thunderstorms rolled across campus. Players and coaches ran toward cover amidst the pouring rain and cracks of thunder. Some dashed faster than others.
Set to turn 60 next month, first-year Gators assistant coach Tim Brewster sprinted with the vigor of a much younger man. Brewster runs the way he coaches: full-speed ahead. Tim Brewster
"This is my calling. I'm doing what I'm supposed to do, and that's coach football and mentor young men,'' Brewster said. "That's the thing I just love."
In seven months with the Gators, Brewster's infectious energy has not gone unnoticed.
During his first Zoom call with reporters on Wednesday, Brewster spoke excitedly for more than 30 minutes, showing no signs of slowing down after his impromptu run. It was evident to anyone within earshot that he is energized by the opportunity at Florida despite the global coronavirus pandemic striking the U.S. shortly after he rejoined Gators head coach Dan Mullen. Brewster spent the 2012 season as receivers coach at Mississippi State when Mullen was head coach.
While he doesn't have a history with the Florida program other than as a rival during five seasons as a Florida State assistant from 2013-17, Brewster's high-octane approach in public is the same behind closed doors.
"He definitely has a lot of energy,'' running back Malik Davis said. "Every day he comes in with a smile and greets everybody. The energy he brings, it can change someone's day."
A man on the move in recent years, Brewster joined Mullen's staff in February after assistant Larry Scott left to become head coach at Howard University. He introduced himself on Twitter and instantly began to shoot digital fireworks to get recruits and fans excited about the Gators.
I loved every second of my time w @CoachMackBrown and the Tar Heels!! 14 years together, 10 at Carolina. Just so blessed. I am now 🔥🔥 up to be a Florida Gator‼️🐊🐊 #GoGators
Brewster's method is tried-and-true, producing results and opportunities across a 35-year coaching career that includes five seasons as an NFL assistant, a stint early in his career as a high school head coach in Indiana, and jobs as a college assistant at Purdue, North Carolina, Texas, Mississippi State, Florida State, Texas A&M and back to North Carolina to join mentor Mack Brown in 2019. Brewster also had a four-year stint as Minnesota's head coach from 2007 to late in the 2010 season, getting the nod over former Gators defensive coordinator Charlie Strong and then-USC assistant Lane Kiffin, among others.
A tight ends coach with a reputation as an excellent recruiter regardless of where his career has taken him – Brewster played a key role for Texas when the Longhorns signed former All-American quarterback Vince Young – he surprised some by departing North Carolina after only a season. He worked on Brown's staff from 1989-2001, first at North Carolina and then at Texas. When Brown returned to coaching in November 2018, Brewster was the first assistant coach he hired.
On Wednesday Brewster shed some light on his decision to leave for UF.
"I think it all starts with my admiration for Dan Mullen,'' Brewster said. "I admire how he coaches, I admire his work ethic, I admire his aptitude for the game of football. I haven't been around a guy that truly, absolutely loves the game like Dan does. I think he's a special guy in our profession, I really do.
"And, obviously, I know a lot about the Gators from my time spent at Florida State. I've always had a little bit of a thing about the University of Florida Gators. I was very fortunate when Dan decided to call me and ask me whether or not I'd be interested in coming to the University of Florida and coaching his tight ends, and it didn't take me long to say yes."
A two-time All-Big Ten tight end as a player at Illinois, Brewster has tutored some of the game's best over the years, including Antonio Gates when he was with the Chargers and Nick O'Leary at Florida State. He inherits an All-American candidate at Florida in junior Kyle Pitts.
Brewster raved about Pitts and fellow junior Kemore Gamble and sophomore Keon Zipperer during Wednesday's Zoom call. He said he would have a difficult time naming a more talented group of tight ends than what the Gators have.
When Scott departed, taking a shot at rehiring Brewster was an easy decision for Mullen.
"Brew's a guy I've had on staff before, worked with before. He's got a great personality, great passion for the game,'' Mullen said in the spring. "Obviously, he's an excellent tight ends coach and you look, you know, it was kind of funny when he was with me before, had him coaching the receivers. So, it's great kind of having him now at his most comfortable position. Not only just a great football coach on the field, a dynamic recruiter, but also a great personality within our staff and a great fit."
Brewster's upbeat personality is a trait those who know him well have mentioned for years.
"He's always had the gift of gab,'' former Illinois teammate and Cincinnati Bengals receiver Mike Martin told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune when Brewster was hired to replace Glen Mason in 2007. "One thing he'll be excellent at is sitting down in somebody's living room and talking to them and getting them to trust him."
That's just one of the reasons Mullen made that call to his former colleague. Brewster has hit the ground running, from the field to the office, on social media and the recruiting trail, and about anywhere else he goes.
That's his modus operandi. If all goes well, he would like to hang around for a while at his latest stop.
"Every morning, I wake up at 4:30 in the morning, and I get on my jog and do my thing, and I couldn't be more excited about representing the University of Florida," Brewster said. "You can probably tell I'm excited to be here. I'm going to stay as long as Dan will have me.
"I'd like to stay at the University of Florida for a good stretch and win some national championships and truly be part of something special here."
