Florida Gators to hire Torrian Gray as final assistant

The Florida Gators went into National signing day without a defensive backs coach officially named but Jim McElwain alluded that a deal was in place to finish his coaching staff.

“I think we’re down the road on that,” he said. “This is something we’re ready to do. It will happen. You guys will probably know it via Twitter or whatever before I do. But yeah, it’s ready to go.”

Hours after McElwain’s press conference Sports Illustrated’s Thayer Evans reported that McElwain would hire Virginia Tech defensive backs coach Torrian Gray — who has served in that role at Virginia Tech since 2006. Thursday, Virginia Tech coach Justin Fuente confirmed that Gray had resigned his position at Va. Tech in order to return to his home state. Gray was born and raised in Lakeland before attending Virginia tech to play football in 1992. Gray was drafted No. 49 overall by t he Minnesota Vikings in 1997 and he played two seasons there before beginning his coaching career.

“This wasn’t about dollars and cents or anything else,” Gray said in a statement released by the University. Virginia Tech made me a very generous offer to stay, but this was simply a career opportunity and a chance to return home to my Florida roots that my family couldn’t pass up.

Gray will replace Kirk Callahan who served as defensive backs coach for one season before McElwain decided to move in a different direction. Gray is highly regarded on the recruiting trail and has done a great job developing talent as well. He has coached Kam Chancellor, Kyle Fuller, Corey Fuller, Brandon Flowers and Jayron Hosley, Antone Exum Jr.

Nick de la Torre
A South Florida native, Nick developed a passion for all things sports at a very young age. His love for baseball was solidified when he saw Al Leiter’s no-hitter for the Marlins live in May of 1996. He was able to play baseball in college but quickly realized there isn’t much of a market for short, slow outfielders that hit around the Mendoza line. Wanting to continue with sports in some capacity he studied journalism at the University of Central Florida. Nick got his first start in the business as an intern for a website covering all things related to the NFL draft before spending two seasons covering the Florida football team at Bleacher Report. That job led him to GatorCountry. When he isn’t covering Gator sports, Nick enjoys hitting way too many shots on the golf course, attempting to keep up with his favorite t.v. shows and watching the Heat, Dolphins and Marlins. Follow him on twitter @NickdelatorreGC