In a significant coaching move within Florida’s collegiate football landscape, University of Florida’s defensive backs coach, Will Harris, has accepted a position with the Miami Hurricanes. Harris, who joined the Gators in December 2023, served as the secondary coach during the 2024 season. Under his guidance, Florida’s defense saw notable improvements, particularly in the latter part of the season. The team achieved a four-game winning streak to conclude the year, during which they limited opponents to an average of 13 points per game. The secondary, despite facing multiple injuries, allowed just 203.5 passing yards per game in these final matchups.
Harris’s coaching tenure at Florida was marked by a significant enhancement in the team’s defensive statistics. The Gators recorded 11 more interceptions and 12 additional pass breakups compared to the 2023 season. His recruiting efforts were also impactful, securing commitments from former Miami pledge Hylton “Drake” Stubbs and local four-star talent Ben Hanks.
Before his stint with Florida, Harris accumulated a diverse coaching portfolio. He spent time with the Los Angeles Chargers, contributed to Georgia Southern, and dedicated five years to the University of Washington. Notably, during the 2020 season at Washington, Harris played a pivotal role in elevating the team’s pass defense ranking from 56th to within the top 15 nationally.
As a player, Harris is an alumnus of the University of Southern California (USC), where he was part of teams that secured two Rose Bowl victories under the leadership of coach Pete Carroll.
In his new role with the Miami Hurricanes, Harris is expected to oversee the safeties unit. His appointment is anticipated to bolster Miami’s defensive strategies, given his track record of enhancing secondary performance and his strong recruiting acumen. This move also underscores the competitive nature of coaching acquisitions within the state, as programs strive to attract top-tier coaching talent to elevate their teams’ performances.
The transition of Harris from Florida to Miami is a testament to his recognized capabilities and the dynamic nature of coaching careers in collegiate football. Both programs will be keenly observing the impacts of this change in the upcoming season.
