Florida expected to hire Georgia Tech’s Trent McKnight as inside receivers coach

The Florida Gators are set to hire Georgia Tech’s Trent McKnight as inside receivers coach, according to Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports.

McKnight coached Georgia Tech’s wide receivers for the past two seasons, working under offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner, who was recently brought in by head coach Jon Sumrall as Florida’s new offensive coordinator.

Despite operating a run-heavy offense, the Yellow Jackets still produced three receivers who surpassed 480 receiving yards and 33 catches in 2025: Eric Rivers, Malik Rutherford, and Isiah Canion.

In 2024, McKnight’s first season with Georgia Tech, Malik Rutherford and Eric Singleton Jr. earned all-ACC recognition after combining for 118 receptions, 1,456 receiving yards and six touchdowns. Rutherford’s team-leading 62 receptions ranking sixth in single-season school history. Rutherford’s 62 catches were also the most by a Yellow Jacket since Pro and College Football Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson’s had 76 in 2006.

McKnight spent the 2022-23 seasons as Georgia State’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach following a five-year stint as the Panthers wide receivers coach. In his time at GSU, McKnight coached nine wideouts that earned all-Sun Belt Conference honors and three of the top five pass-catchers in program history.

Before arriving in Atlanta, McKnight spent five seasons as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Samford, where he coached multiple position groups, including tight ends, wide receivers, and inside receivers. McKnight also held run and pass game coordinator responsibilities throughout his tenure at Samford.

Coaching career 

2007-08: Alabama – Recruiting intern

2008: Oak Mountain High School (Ala.) – Assistant Coach

2009-10: Samford – Student Assistant

2011: Georgia Military College – Wide receivers

2012-13: Samford – Tight ends / inside receivers

2014: Samford – Pass game coordinator / wide receivers

2015-16: Samford – Run game coordinator / tight ends

2017-21: Georgia State – Wide receivers

2022-23: Georgia State – Offensive coordinator / quarterbacks

2024-25: Georgia Tech – Wide receivers

 

Nick Marcinko
Nick is a recent graduate from the University of Florida with a degree in Telecommunications. He is passionate about all sports but specifically baseball and football. Nick interned at Inside the Gators and worked part time with Knights247 before joining the Gator Country family. Nick enjoys spending his free time golfing and at the beach.