Florida is expected to promote off-field assistant / defensive intern Russ Callaway to tight ends coach, Gator Country has learned.
Callaway joined the Gators in 2022 after spending the 2021 season with the New York Giants, serving as an offensive assistant.
In 2020, Callaway served as an offensive assistant for LSU, making a significant impact on the Tigers offense. After the 2020 season, head coach Ed Orgeron promoted Callaway to senior offensive analyst before Callaway took a job in the NFL.
Callaway spent five seasons at Samford, serving as the Bulldogs’ offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach from 2017-2019 and the wide receivers coach from 2015-2016. Callaway is credited with coaching, developing, and mentoring Samford’s QB Devlin Hodges, who earned a 2017 Walter Payton Award Finalist, 2017 Third Team All American, 2017 First Team All-SoCon, 2017 SoCon Offensive Player of the Year, and 2018 Preseason Walter Payton Award Finalist. Hodges would go on to play in the NFL for the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he started six games.
As a unit in 2018, Samford’s offense led the nation in passing yards per game (392.7). The Bulldogs ranked fourth nationally in total offense (515.9), while posting the 8th best redzone offense.
Prior to Samford, Callaway spent time as a recruiting coordinator for Murray State, where he also worked with the wide receivers for two seasons.
Samford was productive in 2017 as well, leading the SoCon in total offense and ranked 5th nationally in passing yards per game under Callaway.
Callaway won two BCS National Championships at Alabama under head coach Nick Saban, serving as a defensive analyst from 2011-2012. Billy Napier also served as an analyst under Saban in 2011.
Callaway is a versatile coach that has worked with both the offense and defense throughout his coaching career. Callaway has served under Nick Saban, Kirby Smart (defensive coordinator at Alabama), and has produced as an offensive coordinator.
Napier hired Callaway to replace William Peagler, who left for an assistant job in the NFL.
Florida has yet to announce a WR coach, but that should be coming shortly. Gator Country will continue to monitor all offseason hires.