Football
Brandon Harris
- Title:
- Cornerbacks
Brandon Harris enters his first season as the team's as cornerbacks coach.
Spending the 2025 campaign as defensive backs coach at UCF, Harris previously served as co-defensive coordinator/cornerbacks coach at FAU from 2023-24. He worked solely as FAU cornerbacks coach in 2022 after holding the same position at FIU in 2021. Harris launched his coaching career at FIU in a separate stint in 2019 as a graduate assistant before heading to Florida State as a defensive analyst for the 2020 season.
Lauded as a rising star in the field, Harris was named to the 2026 AFCA 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute class at the conclusion of the 2025 regular season.
“Coach Harris is one of the best up-and-coming coaches in the country and we are thrilled to be able to get him on staff,” Sumrall said. “Coach Harris has a tremendous amount of in-state ties and has a proven track record, not only with performance on the field, but developing his players into NFL draft picks.”
During Harris’ lone year at UCF, the Knights ranked top-25 nationally and third in the Big 12 Conference in passing defense (185.1) and yards per completion (10.48). The team’s 185.1 passing yards allowed per game represented the third-lowest clip since the Black & Gold became an FBS program in 1996 and the lowest overall since the 2001 season.
Harris’ unit also surrendered the fourth-fewest passing touchdowns in the league (13) while sitting fourth in total defense (335.8) and fifth in yards per attempt (6.63). Defensive backs Phillip Dunnam and Demari Henderson finished third and fourth on the team in tackles while Dunnam’s three interceptions were tied for the 11th in the Big 12.
“I’m very excited for the opportunity to be a Florida Gator,” Harris said. “This is a special place and I can’t wait to get to work with Coach Sumrall and this amazing staff.”
Before joining the Knights, Harris was the cornerbacks coach at FAU from 2022-24. He was elevated to co-defensive coordinator/cornerbacks coach in advance of the 2023 campaign before being promoted to interim defensive coordinator in November 2024. While with the Owls, Harris developed five all-conference selections in the secondary highlighted by two honorees apiece in 2022 and 2023. Most notably, the 2024 season saw Harris guide true freshman safety CJ Heard to Third Team All-ACC honors thanks to a team-high 82 tackles (53 solo), two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
Across Harris’ three seasons in Boca Raton, the Owls combined for 33 interceptions for an average of 11 per season – the fourth-highest total in the AAC over that span. In 2024 alone, FAU racked up 11 interceptions and two defensive touchdowns while recording at least one turnover in eight of 12 games.
Also in 2024, the Owls finished the season among the nation’s top-40 teams in red zone defense (79.55%). Harris’ FAU defense held seven teams to 25 points or fewer during the season, including AAC Champion Army, which went undefeated in conference action with an 8-0 record.
The 2023 campaign saw junior defensive lineman Evan Anderson and graduate safety Jarron Morris collect All-ACC accolades. Morris led the team in tackles for a loss (7.5), pass breakups (six), interceptions (three) and forced fumbles (forced). His standout performance powered FAU to finish third nationally in fewest penalties (41) while tallying a pair of defensive touchdowns – one being a Morris pick-six.
In his first season with the Owls in 2022, Harris worked tirelessly to establish an aggressive and overwhelming brand of defense. That effort did not take long to come to fruition in year one, as UCF intercepted 12 passes – tied for 12th in the FBS. Harris also tutored defensive backs Teja Young and Armani Adams to Honorable Mention All-Conference USA selections.
Prior to his time in Boca Raton, Harris was the cornerbacks coach at FIU in 2021 and a defensive analyst at Florida State in 2020. In those two seasons, Harris mentored seven future NFL Draft picks including a pair of future second-round selections in defensive backs Asante Samuel Jr. (2021) and Renardo Green (2024). Although only at FIU for one year, he helped seventh-rounder Stantley Thomas-Oliver become the 10th NFL Draft pick in program history, as well as the third Panthers defensive back to be chosen – the first in eight years.
Starring at Miami as a player from 2008-10, Harris was a Phil Steele Second Team All-American and First Team All-ACC selection in 2009, as well as Jim Thorpe Award Semifinalist in 2009 and 2010. During his 2009 standout season, he was tied for second nationally with 15 pass breakups and third in passes defended (17) while ranking third on the Hurricanes with 52 tackles.
Following a standout college career, Harris was selected in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans and went on to play four seasons at the sport’s highest level. From 2011-14, he played in 42 games, totaling 48 tackles (38 solo) and 10 pass breakups. After moving on from American Football in 2016, he signed with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League and won the 2017 Grey Cup.
Hailing from Miami, Fla., Harris’ family trade is coaching football. His father, Tim Harris Sr., is a high school coaching legend at Booker T. Washington Senior High School, where Brandon competed as a player. His older brother, Tim Harris Jr., currently holds the position of pass game coordinator/wide receivers coach at Florida State.
Harris is the proud father to three children: Brandon Jr., Bash and Brylee. He and his wife, Bria, were married in July 2021.
Brandon Harris Coaching History
Brandon Harris NFL Draft Picks
Spending the 2025 campaign as defensive backs coach at UCF, Harris previously served as co-defensive coordinator/cornerbacks coach at FAU from 2023-24. He worked solely as FAU cornerbacks coach in 2022 after holding the same position at FIU in 2021. Harris launched his coaching career at FIU in a separate stint in 2019 as a graduate assistant before heading to Florida State as a defensive analyst for the 2020 season.
Lauded as a rising star in the field, Harris was named to the 2026 AFCA 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute class at the conclusion of the 2025 regular season.
“Coach Harris is one of the best up-and-coming coaches in the country and we are thrilled to be able to get him on staff,” Sumrall said. “Coach Harris has a tremendous amount of in-state ties and has a proven track record, not only with performance on the field, but developing his players into NFL draft picks.”
During Harris’ lone year at UCF, the Knights ranked top-25 nationally and third in the Big 12 Conference in passing defense (185.1) and yards per completion (10.48). The team’s 185.1 passing yards allowed per game represented the third-lowest clip since the Black & Gold became an FBS program in 1996 and the lowest overall since the 2001 season.
Harris’ unit also surrendered the fourth-fewest passing touchdowns in the league (13) while sitting fourth in total defense (335.8) and fifth in yards per attempt (6.63). Defensive backs Phillip Dunnam and Demari Henderson finished third and fourth on the team in tackles while Dunnam’s three interceptions were tied for the 11th in the Big 12.
“I’m very excited for the opportunity to be a Florida Gator,” Harris said. “This is a special place and I can’t wait to get to work with Coach Sumrall and this amazing staff.”
Before joining the Knights, Harris was the cornerbacks coach at FAU from 2022-24. He was elevated to co-defensive coordinator/cornerbacks coach in advance of the 2023 campaign before being promoted to interim defensive coordinator in November 2024. While with the Owls, Harris developed five all-conference selections in the secondary highlighted by two honorees apiece in 2022 and 2023. Most notably, the 2024 season saw Harris guide true freshman safety CJ Heard to Third Team All-ACC honors thanks to a team-high 82 tackles (53 solo), two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
Across Harris’ three seasons in Boca Raton, the Owls combined for 33 interceptions for an average of 11 per season – the fourth-highest total in the AAC over that span. In 2024 alone, FAU racked up 11 interceptions and two defensive touchdowns while recording at least one turnover in eight of 12 games.
Also in 2024, the Owls finished the season among the nation’s top-40 teams in red zone defense (79.55%). Harris’ FAU defense held seven teams to 25 points or fewer during the season, including AAC Champion Army, which went undefeated in conference action with an 8-0 record.
The 2023 campaign saw junior defensive lineman Evan Anderson and graduate safety Jarron Morris collect All-ACC accolades. Morris led the team in tackles for a loss (7.5), pass breakups (six), interceptions (three) and forced fumbles (forced). His standout performance powered FAU to finish third nationally in fewest penalties (41) while tallying a pair of defensive touchdowns – one being a Morris pick-six.
In his first season with the Owls in 2022, Harris worked tirelessly to establish an aggressive and overwhelming brand of defense. That effort did not take long to come to fruition in year one, as UCF intercepted 12 passes – tied for 12th in the FBS. Harris also tutored defensive backs Teja Young and Armani Adams to Honorable Mention All-Conference USA selections.
Prior to his time in Boca Raton, Harris was the cornerbacks coach at FIU in 2021 and a defensive analyst at Florida State in 2020. In those two seasons, Harris mentored seven future NFL Draft picks including a pair of future second-round selections in defensive backs Asante Samuel Jr. (2021) and Renardo Green (2024). Although only at FIU for one year, he helped seventh-rounder Stantley Thomas-Oliver become the 10th NFL Draft pick in program history, as well as the third Panthers defensive back to be chosen – the first in eight years.
Starring at Miami as a player from 2008-10, Harris was a Phil Steele Second Team All-American and First Team All-ACC selection in 2009, as well as Jim Thorpe Award Semifinalist in 2009 and 2010. During his 2009 standout season, he was tied for second nationally with 15 pass breakups and third in passes defended (17) while ranking third on the Hurricanes with 52 tackles.
Following a standout college career, Harris was selected in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans and went on to play four seasons at the sport’s highest level. From 2011-14, he played in 42 games, totaling 48 tackles (38 solo) and 10 pass breakups. After moving on from American Football in 2016, he signed with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League and won the 2017 Grey Cup.
Hailing from Miami, Fla., Harris’ family trade is coaching football. His father, Tim Harris Sr., is a high school coaching legend at Booker T. Washington Senior High School, where Brandon competed as a player. His older brother, Tim Harris Jr., currently holds the position of pass game coordinator/wide receivers coach at Florida State.
Harris is the proud father to three children: Brandon Jr., Bash and Brylee. He and his wife, Bria, were married in July 2021.
Brandon Harris Coaching History
| Year | Position, School |
|---|---|
| 2026-pres. | Cornerbacks Coach, Florida |
| 2025 | Defensive Backs Coach, UCF |
| 2024 | Interim Defensive Coordinator, FAU |
| 2023-24 | Co-Defensive Coordinator/Cornerbacks, FAU |
| 2022 | Cornerbacks Coach, FAU |
| 2021 | Cornerbacks Coach, FIU |
| 2020 | Defensive Analyst, Florida State |
| 2019 | Graduate Assistant, FIU |
Brandon Harris NFL Draft Picks
| Year | Round | Player | Position | Team | School |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 | Renardo Green | CB | San Francisco 49ers | Florida State |
| 2024 | 3 | Jarrian Jones | DB | Jacksonville Jaguars | Florida State |
| 2021 | 2 | Asante Samuel Jr. | DB | Los Angeles Chargers | Florida State |
| 2021 | 4 | Janarius Robinson | DE | Minnesota Vikings | Florida State |
| 2021 | 4 | Joshua Kaindoh | DE | Kansas City Chiefs | Florida State |
| 2021 | 6 | Hamsah Nasirildeen | S | New York Jets | Florida State |
| 2020 | 7 | Stantley Thomas-Oliver | DB | Carolina Panthers | FIU |
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