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GAINESVILLE — Vinnie Sunseri has agreed to coach Florida’s safeties and serve as co-defensive coordinator for Gators’ coach Billy Napier, the Orlando Sentinel has learned.
Sunseri, who played safety at Alabama from 2011-13, will replace Austin Armstrong, who left UF after two seasons for the University of Houston.
The Sentinel confirmed 247Sports Matt Zenitz’s report.
Sunseri has both college and NFL coaching experience, including four seasons (2020-23) with the New England Patriots. Prior to accepting his new position, the 33-year-old was in line to serve as Jacksonville State defensive coordinator under first-year coach Charles Kelly.
Sunseri coached safeties at the University of Washington in 2024, when the Huskies finished fifth nationally in average passing yards allowed (166.8 per game) and were eighth in pass efficiency defense (110.51).
Sunseri, the son of former UF defensive line coach Sal Sunseri (2018), started his coaching career as a graduate assistant in 2019 at Alabama, where he played for the Crimson Tide’s back-to-back national champions in 2011 and 2012.
During three seasons, Vinnie Sunseri recorded 105 tackles and four interceptions, including two pick-sixes in 2013 — one for a 73-yard touchdown at Texas A&M after he intercepted quarterback Johnny Manziel.
Sunseri was a fifth-round pick by the New Orleans Saints in the 2014 NFL Draft and spent time playing for the Patriots and San Francisco 49ers before following in his father’s footsteps.
Sal Sunseri coached in the NFL and college, working alongside Kelly at Alabama, Florida State, and Colorado. Tino Sunseri played quarterback at Pitt and is now the offensive coordinator at UCLA.
Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/uf-billy-napier-completes-staff-163700362.html
Author : Orlando Sentinel
Publish date : 2025-01-25 16:37:00
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