CJ Wilford has joined the Gators’ staff as a quality control coach who will work with the defense, head coach Billy Napier announced on Wednesday.
He worked for Napier at Louisiana over the last three years. In 2019 and 2020, he served as a defensive backs quality control assistant. He was a nickels and safeties graduate assistant coach in 2021.
Wilford helped the Ragin’ Cajuns rank third in the country in interceptions in 2020. They ranked 11th in the FBS in scoring defense and 15th in passing defense in 2019.
The Moorpark, California, native came to Louisiana after working at Southern Utah from 2016-18. He was a defensive assistant his first two years before picking up the title of inside linebackers coach in 2018, which made him the youngest full-time position coach in Division 1 at 23 years old.
The Thunderbirds tied for the FCS lead in interceptions in 2017. In 2018, linebacker Taylor Nelson earned Second Team All-Big Sky honors under Wilford’s watch.
Wilford played two seasons at Ventura Junior College before starting his coaching career.