Florida Gators bring on Jules Montinar as new defensive assistant

After a whirlwind of a coaching search for a second defensive backs coach, the Florida Gators are set to add Jules Montinar to the staff on Friday.

Montinar comes to Florida from the USF Bulls, where he served as the cornerbacks coach and recruiting coordinator in 2020.

Known as arguably the best recruiter for the Bulls, he adds much needed prowess in that area for the Gators. The 35-year-old Naples, Florida, native was also applauded for his recruiting in his home state at previous stops.

He spent time as a defensive quality control assistant at Georgia in 2019 after a stint as Texas State’s cornerbacks coach from 2016-18.

In 2017, Montinar earned 247 Sports’ Sun Belt Recruiter of the Year honors. He was the primary recruiter for eight signees in the class.

In his final season at Texas State, he tacked on special teams coordinator duties as well. He impressively took the Bobcats’ kick return defense from an abysmal 108th in the national rankings up to 14th.

Before that, he coached cornerbacks at James Madison and made graduate assistant stops at Alabama, Purdue and his alma mater Eastern Kentucky.

He worked under Nick Saban during the Crimson Tide’s national title run in 2013.

As a junior at Naples High School, Montinar led Florida Class 5A state championship in 2001. He earned Southwest Florida Defensive Player of the Year honors as a senior in 2002.

Montinar now joins Wesley McGriff in coaching the secondary for the Gators in 2021. McGriff will likely slide over to coach Florida’s safeties while Montinar coaches corners.

 

Bailiegh Carlton
A lifelong sports fan, Bailiegh Carlton knew from a young age that she wanted to work in sports in some capacity. Before transferring to the University of Florida to study journalism, she played softball at Gulf Coast State College. She then interned for Gator Country for three years as she worked toward her degree. After graduation, Bailiegh decided to explore other opportunities in the world of sports, but all roads led her right back here. In her time away, she and her husband welcomed a beautiful baby girl into the world. When she isn't working, she can almost always be found snuggled up with sweet baby Ridley, Cody and her four fur babies.

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