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Former University of Alabama and NFL safety Vinnie Sunseri, whose mentors include Nick Saban and Bill Belichick, reportedly is set to join Florida as co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach.
Matt Zenitz of CBSSports.com and 247Sports first reported late Saturday morning that Sunseri, recently hired as Jacksonville State’s new defensive coordinator, instead will join Billy Napier’s staff. He replaces Austin Armstrong, who left in December to become defensive coordinator at Houston.
Veteran Ron Roberts, who joined UF last January, is the Gators’ other co-coordinator.
Sunseri, 33, spent the 2024 season as safeties coach at the University of Washington. Before that, he spent three years as running backs coach for the New England Patriots. A member of two national title teams at Alabama (2011-2012), he served as a defensive assistant for Belichick in New England in 2020 and as a graduate assistant at his alma mater the previous season.
Sunseri, who appeared in 15 games (with 11 tackles) during his brief NFL career, will help preside over a unit that foundered early in 2024 before flourishing down the stretch. Florida totaled 19 sacks and seven fumble recoveries in its final four games, all victories.
Sacks leader Tyreak Sapp returns in 2024, as do safeties Jordan Castell (team-high nine pass breakups) and Bryce Thornton (team-high three interceptions), and edge rusher George Gumbs (35 tackles, five sacks).
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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/gators-hire-vinnie-sunseri-co-201700944.html
Author : Tampa Bay Times, St. Petersburg, Fla.
Publish date : 2025-01-25 20:17:00
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