Russ Callaway started his Gators’ career as a defensive intern in 2022 before switching to the offensive side, coaching the tight ends for Billy Napier in 2023. In the offseason, Callaway received his second promotion in as many years and will serve as Florida’s Co-Offensive Coordinator this season.
“We kind of started to transition a little bit last year, just me coming over to offense and being a part of a new staff. We kind of felt our way through it and we grew as we go. And we’ve kind of gotten to a point where we’ve gotten in a good rhythm,” Callaway said on his new role. “So I would say, you know, just continue to do what we did last year. But like any offseason, you want to critique and do things better, you know, whether it’s organization, from a scheme standpoint, whatever. But I’m super excited about this opportunity and can’t wait for this year.”
Florida has not been clear on whether Callaway will be their primary play caller in 2024.
“We’re still going through some of that,” Callaway said on if he’s doing anything different to prepare for his new role. “But I would say again, it’s, look, we’ve got five coaches in that room that are five of the best coaches I’ve ever been around. And I mean that. So I think the involvement, not from just me but from coach Napier, from coach G [Billy Gonzales], from coach Sale, from coach DeCoster, from coach [Jabbar] Juluke, everybody in our room. We have a great, cohesive unit, and I think it starts with us in that room and then transitions to the players, because they see you talking, they see you communicating and asking questions. Everybody’s on board doing the right thing. So, like I said, we got a great group out there. We’ve just got to continue to build on what we’re doing.”
Callaway details quarterback room
Callaway has spent time with the quarterbacks and tight ends throughout three practices of spring football.
Florida returns their first starting QB since the 2022 season as Graham Mertz is back for one final ride in Orange and Blue. Mertz is one of the more experienced QBs in college football; his 43 career starts ranks top 5 in the FBS.
“I’m super excited about Graham,” Callaway said on Mertz. “That kid, it all starts with the quarterback in my opinion. And you know, first off, he’s a great person. He’s an unbelievable communicator. We ask him to do a lot in our offense, and he’s very, very sharp. And he has taken it to the next level more than I thought he would from last year, and that’s a great sign for us. So I’m really excited, and it ain’t just Graham. We’ve got a lot of guys in that unit that are hungry, and eager to go out there and prove what we can do.”
Callaway also gets to work with five-star freshman DJ Lagway, who recently completed his first collegiate practice with the Gators.
“DJ, I’ll tell you what, first off he’s an unbelievable person, and he’s a special talent,” Callaway said on Lagway. “Graham has been doing a great job mentoring him, not just from a ball standpoint and not that DJ didn’t have that already, but just showing him, ‘Hey man, this is how you do it. This is how you approach meetings. This is how you approach practice.’ You know, everything, from the top down. And DJ already had that or he wouldn’t be here. But I think DJ is going to be a great player for the Gators and I’m excited to be a part of his journey.”
Callaway received interest from NFL teams this offseason
Callaway has NFL experience and received interest from NFL teams this offseason but decided to return to Florida.
“One of the biggest reasons I stayed here is I’ve been around coach Napier before, and a lot of coaches on the staff before, and it’s truly a unique group,” Callaway said on his reason for staying at Florida. “Ultimately, I really believe in the group we have. We are super hungry. This is the best unit from a team, just cohesive from top to bottom, all positions including the staff. I just didn’t want to leave a great thing that we have here because I really, really feel like we’re really close. And I just, you know, I love Coach Napier, I love the coaches I work with and I’m grateful for the opportunity.”
The Gators wrap up spring ball with their annual Orange and Blue game on April 13th, which will provide Gator Nation with their first glimpse of Florida’s offense with Russ Callaway as the Co-Offensive Coordinator.