The Florida Gators are set to hire Kentucky’s Chris Collins as its safeties coach, according to a report from Brandon Marcello of 247Sports.
Collins has been on staff at Kentucky since 2021, working as the Wildcats’ defensive backs coach and co-defensive coordinator for the past two seasons.
If Collins is officially hired, he will primarily work with Florida’s safeties, while former UCF defensive backs coach Brandon Harris will oversee the cornerbacks.
Collins worked under Florida’s defensive coordinator Brad White at Kentucky from 2021-25, helping guide two top 25 defenses during that span.
While at Kentucky, Collins developed three NFL Draft selections, including Max Hairston, who made history in the 2025 NFL Draft as the first Wildcat defensive back chosen in the first round. One year prior, Kentucky defensive back Andru Phillips was taken in the third round by the New York Giants following an impressive junior campaign in which he tallied 47 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and five pass breakups.
Under Collins’ tenure, Kentucky’s defense ranked fourth (2021), second (2022), and seventh (2023) in the SEC in total defense. The Wildcats were especially strong in 2022, finishing 11th nationally by allowing just 311.4 yards per game. That season, Kentucky also ranked third in the SEC and 13th nationally in scoring defense, allowing an average of only 19.2 points per game.
Collins came to Kentucky after four seasons from 2017-20 as the safeties coach at Georgia State, helping the Panthers advance to a bowl game in three of his four seasons. Collins coached All-Sun Belt Conference safety Bryan Williams, who tied the school record for interceptions in a season with four.
Now 37, Collins played safety and outside linebacker at Western Carolina from 2006-09. He recorded 303 tackles during his collegiate career, including 109 as a senior in 2009, when he earned second-team All-Southern Conference recognition. He finished his career with 19 tackles for loss (including 12.5 as a senior), nine forced fumbles (including a SoCon-best six as a junior) and five pass breakups.
Coaching career
2011-12: Western Carolina – Defensive Assistant
2013-13: Catawba – Secondary / Special Teams Coordinator
2015: Appalachian State – Defensive Graduate Assistant
2016: Western Carolina – Assistant Linebackers Coach
2017-18: Georgia State – Assistant Safeties Coach
2019-20: Georgia State – Assistant Safeties Coach / Recruiting Coach
2021-23: Kentucky – Defensive Backs Coach
2024-25: Kentucky – Defensive Backs Coach / Co-Defensive Coordinator