The Florida Gators have promoted co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Randy Shannon to defensive coordinator.
Shannon served as the Gators’ interim defensive coordinator for the Outback Bowl after Geoff Collins left for the head coaching position at Temple.
“Coach Shannon has been a big part of our success over the last two years. It’s been really cool to watch him handle his business,” Jim McElwain said in a statement. “He really connects with our players and they have a lot of respect for him. More than being a great coach, he is a great mentor and teacher to these young men and that is one of our greatest measuring sticks as coaches.”
This will be Shannon’s third stint as a defensive coordinator. He first held the title in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins (1998-99). He returned to his alma mater, Miami, where he served as defensive coordinator from 2001-06.
“I appreciate the opportunity Coach Mac has given me to be the defensive coordinator at the University of Florida,” Shannon said in a release. “We will continue to work together as we have the past two years to put together a plan so our players are in a position to be successful in football and in life.”