Jim McElwain will be tasked with replacing a coordinator for the first time as the Florida Gators head coach.
According to a report from ESPN’s Brett McMurphy, defensive coordinator Geoff Collins will accept the head-coaching job at Temple. The Owls have a vacancy after former head coach Matt Rhule accepted the head coaching job at Baylor.
Florida DC Geoff Collins will be named Temple’s coach, sources told @ESPN
— Brett McMurphy (@McMurphyESPN) December 13, 2016
The Gators have ranked in the top 10 nationally in total defense with Collins directing the defense the past two seasons. He was the highest paid assistant at Florida, making $900,000 this season with a $150,000 retention bonus in his contract due every February.
Collins was mentioned as a potential head coaching candidate following the 2015 season and then again for numerous jobs this season. His name was floated around as a potential hire for the USF job before former Texas head coach Charlie Strong accepted the job.
The Gators have an easy replacement already on the coaching staff in Randy Shannon.
Shannon was named Associate Head Coach/Co-Defensive Coordinator/ Linebackers coach in 2015. Shannon has more than 25 years experience as a coach, including six as a defensive coordinator (Miami 2001-06 and four as a head coach (Miami 2007-10).
The Gators could, potentially, make a hire from outside the program. Jim McElwain could use another great recruiter on his staff and Collins’ departure leaves McElwain with close to a million dollars to play with if he chooses to look to poach a coach from another staff.