The Florida Gators are expected to hire Georgia Tech’s Buster Faulkner as offensive coordinator, Gator Country confirms. Chris Low of On3 was first to report.
Faulkner has spent the last three seasons as Georgia Tech’s offensive coordinator / tight ends coach while serving as the Yellow Jacket’s primary play caller.
Georgia Tech exceeded expectations this season behind an offense that ranked 12th in yards per game and 28th in points per game. Faulkner is among 15 semifinalists for the 2025 Broyles Award, given to college football’s top assistant coach.
In his first two seasons with the Yellow Jackets, Faulkner guided a Georgia Tech offense that ranked in the top half of the ACC in rushing (first in 2023, second in 2024), total offense (third in 2023, sixth in 2024), scoring (fourth in 2023, eighth in 2024) and passing efficiency (fifth in 2023, eighth in 2024) both seasons.
Georgia Tech’s offensive line allowed the fewest sacks in the ACC in all three seasons under Faulkner from 2023-25.
Prior to his time in Atlanta, Faulkner spent three seasons with Georgia from 2020-22 as the Bulldogs’ quarterback coach, winning two National Championships during that span. Former Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett credits Faulkner for his development.
While the Yellow Jackets have leaned heavily on dual threat quarterback Haynes King in the run game, Faulkner has also been a part of air raid offenses, showcasing his ability to adapt to personnel, a critical trait for an elite coordinator.
As Southern Miss’s offensive coordinator and quarterback coach in 2019, quarterback Jack Abraham threw for 3,496 yards under Faulkner. In two of his three seasons as offensive coordinator at Arkansas State as (2016-18), quarterback Justice Hansen threw for 3,400+ yards including a career high 3,967 passing yards in 2017.
The 44-year-old Georgia native has a history of success at multiple schools and different styles of offense. Faulkner’s ability to adapt his play calling to better suit current personnel makes him an attractive hire in year one for head coach Jon Sumrall.
FAULKNER’S COACHING CAREER
2005: Valdosta State – Student Assistant
2006: Georgia – Graduate Assistant
2007: Valdosta State – Quarterbacks Coach
2008: Valdosta State – Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks Coach
2009: Central Arkansas – Quarterbacks Coach
2010: Murray State – Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks Coach
2011-15: Middle Tennessee State – Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks Coach
2016: Arkansas State – Offensive Coordinator
2017-18: Arkansas State – Offensive Coordinator / Tight Ends Coach
2019: Southern Miss – Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks Coach
2020-22: Georgia – Quarterbacks Coach / Quality Control
2023-25: Georgia Tech – Offensive Coordinator / Tight Ends Coach
I want to find fault, a sort of Napier(ror) hangover, but I can’t, I actually had a Hal smile before I could get myself together. A real OC? Who would have thunk it?
Thanks for the write up
Half