GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Jon Sumrall made his first official rent as Florida’s soccer coach Thursday, bringing aboard Kentucky’s Brad White as defensive coordinator.
The 43-year-old White spent the previous eight years in Lexington, together with seven of these in command of the Wildcats’ protection. Sumrall and White overlapped on that facet of the ball between 2019 and 2021, together with working their last 12 months collectively as co-DCs. Sumrall left Kentucky to turn out to be Troy’s coach in 2022 and spent the previous two years at Tulane.
Below White’s route, Kentucky fielded defenses that ranked within the high 25 nationally in 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2022. His unit ranked sixth nationally in 2018 thanks partially to edge rusher Josh Hines-Allen. Hines-Allen recorded 17 sacks and 5 compelled fumbles as a redshirt junior.
He went on to turn out to be the seventh decide by Jacksonville within the 2019 NFL draft and now owns the franchise’s sacks document with 59 and counting.
“Initially, they’re getting an excellent particular person, an excellent communicator, a man that wishes one of the best for his gamers,” Hines-Allen mentioned. “He was my positional coach after I had him, and the time we spent collectively helped me develop and be the place I’m immediately. I give him a number of credit score and a number of respect and love.
“He is finished a number of good issues for that program. Hopefully he continues to have that success at Florida.”
Present Jaguars coach Liam Coen, who was Kentucky’s offensive coordinator in 2021 and 2023, confronted White’s protection every day and known as him “one of many smarter guys I have been round at any degree.”
“True trainer of the sport,” Coen added. “I realized a lot from Brad by way of the best way that he noticed the sport. He is likely one of the extra detailed, organized coaches I have been round by way of his course of all through the week, his checklists all through the week after which his sport plans to have the ability to go and trigger points for folks.
“It gave me issues on daily basis in apply. It is a number of. He is aware of how one can scheme folks up.”
Sumrall is predicted to put in a 3-4 defensive scheme at Florida, with an emphasis on linebacker play that will intensify the expertise and depth of a place group that features standouts Myles Graham, Jaden Robinson and Aaron Chiles.
Sumrall’s extra necessary rent will come on the opposite facet of the ball, the place Georgia Tech’s Buster Faulkner is one of some candidates to be Florida’s offensive coordinator.
“I could also be a defensive man, however I wish to be extra of a defensive man like … Bob Stoops,” Sumrall mentioned. “I need the scoreboard to gentle up.”