Florida formally announces addition of key former LSU assistant
After news broke on Wednesday that Florida was expected to hire former LSU defensive backs coach Corey Raymond, the Gators made it official on Thursday.
Florida issued an formal announcement filled will Raymond’s numerous impressive accomplishments. He has produced seven first-team All-Americans and 14 NFL Draft picks, including three first-round selections. Additionally, former LSU safety Grant Delpit won the Jim Thorpe Award in 2019, the honor given to the nation’s top defensive back.
Additional notable names from Raymond’s time at LSU include Kansas City Chiefs safety Tyrann Mathieu and Cleveland Browns cornerback Greedy Williams.
As a whole, the unit consistently ranked at or near the top in many categories nationally, even earning LSU the title “Defensive Back U” or “DBU.”
Raymond is Louisiana through and through
The Louisiana native had been on staff at LSU since 2012, starting as defensive backs and associate head coach before moving to cornerbacks coach in 2017. He added recruiting coordinator to his title in 2020.
Raymond played at LSU from 1987-91 and notched eight interceptions and 185 tackles as a three-year starter. He then headed to the NFL as an undrafted free agent. After playing for the New York Giants and Detroit Lions from 1992-97, Raymond went into high school coaching in his hometown.
LSU brought him on board as an intern in 2006 and moved him to assistant strength and conditioning coach from 2007-08. From there, he went to Utah as cornerbacks coach from 2009-10 and Nebraska as defensive backs coach in 2011.
Raymond will join first year head coach Billy Napier, who formerly coached at Louisiana, in Gainesville. The coaches inherit a pass defense which is improved from last year on paper in the passing yardage category, but which struggled mightily compared to recent prior years. They had just nine interceptions, which ranks 11th in the SEC. The Gators finished the season 6-6.
On3’s Nick Schultz contributed to this report.