The Florida Gators are expected to hire UCF’s defensive backs coach Brandon Harris, according to Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports.
Harris spent the 2025 season as UCF’s defensive backs coach where the Knights ranked 25th nationally in pass defense. The Knights’ defense allowed just 185.1 yards per game in 2025, the third lowest clip since the Black and Gold became an FBS program in 1996 and the lowest since the 2001 season.
UCF allowed just 13 passing touchdowns under Harris’ watch, eight less than the 2024 campaign. Following the slate of conference championship games, UCF ranked third in the Big 12 and 25th in the nation in passing yards allowed.
Harris was named to the 2026 AFCA 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute class at season’s end.
Before arriving in Orlando, Harris served as FAU’s co-defensive coordinator and cornerbacks coach in 2024. That season, the Owls totaled 11 interceptions and two defensive touchdowns, forcing at least one turnover in eight of their 12 games.
Harris also spent time on the coaching staffs at FIU as cornerbacks coach and at Florida State as a defensive analyst.
Now 35, Harris played cornerback at Miami before spending six seasons in the NFL and one in the CFL. Harris earned Third Team All-American and First Team All-ACC honors with the Hurricanes in 2009, followed by Second Team All-ACC recognition in 2010. Harris was a Jim Thorpe Award Semifinalist, presented annually to the nation’s best defensive back, in 2009 and 2010.
Harris was selected in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans.
Coaching career
2019: FIU – Graduate Assistant
2020: Florida State – Defensive Analyst
2021: FIU – Cornerbacks Coach
2022: FAU – Cornerbacks Coach
2023-24: FAU – Co-Defensive Coordinator / Cornerbacks Coach
2025: UCF – Defensive Backs Coach