Behind the Numbers: Florida Gators Wide Receivers Coach Billy Gonzales

It has been nine seasons, since the Florida Gators had a respectable wide receiving corp.

It has been nine seasons, since Billy Gonzales last led the Florida Gators wide receiving corps.

There is not much coincidence.

After two seasons with LSU, one season with Illinois, and five with Mississippi State, Gonzales is back in the Orange and Blue – joining Dan Mullen for their 14th season together on the same staff.

Gonzales, one of the top recruiters for Percy Harvin, Kadron Boone, Jon Bostic, and Cody Riggs, and Kylin Hill, will be a welcome addition to a wide receiving group who has not had a receiver with more than 810 yards of receiving in any season since he left in 2009 – something he did five times at Mississippi State in the last five seasons.

With Gonzales back in Gainesville, let’s take a look at the numbers that have defined his career.

  • In the nine seasons since he has been gone from Gainesville, the Gators have had two receivers average more than 50 yards receiving per game. Gonzales has had six over the same period.
  • Over the last five seasons, he has had eight wide receivers catch at least five touchdowns. The Gators have had two.
  • Fred Ross was the first All-SEC Mississippi State wide receiver in 2015 in 20 years.
  • In four of the last five seasons, Gonzales has had a receiver in the top-11 in the SEC.
  • In his five seasons with Mississippi State, Gonzales’ wide receivers had 123 receiving touchdowns. Florida had 77.
  • Between 2013-2015, MSU had a streak of 18 games in a row with at least one receiving touchdown.
  • Gonzales was ranked as the 20th best recruiter in the SEC this season, according to 247Sports.
  • Gonzales is credited with the development Russell Sheppard as a wide receiver transitioning from quarterback at LSU, as well as early development of Reuben Randle and Odell Beckham, Jr.
Daniel Thompson
Dan Thompson is a 2010 graduate of the University Florida, graduating with a degree in Economics and a degree in Political Science. During this time at UF, Dan worked three years for the Florida Gator Football team as a recruiting ambassador. Dan dealt daily with prospects, NCAA guidelines, and coaching staff. Dan was also involved in Florida Blue Key, Student Government and Greek Life. Currently, Dan oversees the IT consulting practice of a Tampa-based company. Dan enjoys golfing, country music, bourbon, travel, oysters, and a medium-rare steak. Dan can be found on Twitter at @DK_Thompson.