Florida Gators Hire Defensive Coordinator

Sports News - February 11th, 2010 - Written By John Ritter

The Florida Gators have made their decision as to who is going to run the defense for the upcoming 2010 season. The University has gone to the next level to procure their next defensive coordinator, hiring Arizona Cardinal defensive backs coach Teryl Austin.

The Gators lost defensive coordinator Charlie Strong, to the head coaching vacancy at Louisville. They then hired Miami Dolphin assistant coach George Edwards. However, after only 27 days, Edwards left the program to take the defensive coordinator position with the Buffalo Bills.

Austin has coached at both the collegiate and NFL level. He has been successful at every stop along the road of his career. Austin has been coaching for nearly 20 years, and has learned from names like Joe Paterno, Lloyd Carr, Mike Holmgren and most recently, Ken Whisenhut.

Austin played college football at the University of Pittsburgh for four years from 1984-87.

This past season, the Gator defense posted the fourth-ranked scoring defense in the country, and second in the Southeastern Conference to only Alabama. They have the talent in place for Austin to come in and run his scheme.

Florida also had a big day last week on National Signing Day, accumulating a consensus top-ranked class. They signed the overall number one player, in defensive end Ronald Powell. Powell could make an immediate impact on a Florida defense that loses former end Carlos Dunlap to the NFL draft.

The Gators had also been interested in Charlie Harbison, who is the defensive backs coach for the Clemson Tigers. According to multiple outlets, Harbison took his name out of the running.

Florida went 13-1 this season, finishing with a victory in the Sugar Bowl over the Cincinnati Bearcats. The gators have won two of the previous four BCS Championships (06' and 08').

Florida has been installed as a 16/1 favorite to capture their third National Championship in the last five seasons according to the College Football Betting Lines at Bodog Sportsbook.