Gators part ways with Corey Raymond, Sean Spencer per reports

It was clear that, after going 5-7 this fall, Florida needed to make some changes. Now, according to Edgar Thompson at the Orlando Sentinel, two decisions have already been made regarding the Gators staff.

Per his report, both Corey Raymond, assistant head coach and secondary coach, and Sean Spencer, co-defensive coordinator and defensive line coach, are out in Gainesville as of today.

Breaking: #Gators part ways with defensive assistants Corey Raymond, Sean Spencer after Florida's 5-7 season, the Orlando Sentinel has learned.https://t.co/uLTHAFmHzU

— Edgar Thompson (@osgators) November 28, 2023

Raymond was in his second season with Florida under Billy Napier. Before his arrival in The Swamp, he had spent a decade working with the defensive backs and corners in the SEC with LSU. That didn’t translate as well to the Gators, though, as they only produced three interceptions this season after getting six last year.

As for Spencer, he was also in year number two on the staff. Prior to that, he had spent time over the last decade with the New York Giants in the NFL as well as Penn State and Vanderbilt at the college level. Still, his unit had begun to underperform as well with just 45 sacks the last two years, including just 1.8 per game this season.

With the No. 81 defense in the nation this season, that was an area where moves were likelier at Florida. Now, two days after their season ended, we already know the fate of a pair of staffers for the Gators.

More on Florida parting ways with Raymond, Spencer

The Florida Gators defensive makeover has begun. On Monday night, the Gators parted ways with Sean Spencer and secondary coach Corey Raymond, Gators Online has confirmed. Spencer also served as the co-defensive coordinator.

The news was first reported by Edgar Thompson of the Orlando Sentinel.

Spencer’s contract was set to expire at the end of January. Florida also has Rob Sale, Darnell Stapleton, Jabbar Juluke, Jay Bateman and Mike Peterson on contracts that expire at the end of January 2024.

Raymond was promoted this offseason to defensive backs coach and will be in charge of UF’s secondary. Although this news came out after the departure of defensive coordinator Patrick Toney, who coached the safeties in 2022, Gators coach Billy Napier said he made the move with Corey Raymond prior to Toney’s exit.

DC Austin Armstrong will continue to run the defense. His contract runs through January 31, 2026. He’ll be tasked with replacing these two coaches and filling out his staff.

When asked on Saturday following a loss to FSU about accessing his coaching staff, Billy Napier answered plainly.

“I think you’ve got to remain as objective as possible. I think ultimately — I think we work together as a team each day. We do have good morale, chemistry, camaraderie, whatever you want to say. It’s one of the reasons why our team plays the way it does. Bottom line, we have to produce,” he said. “We have to develop. We have to improve. And we all have responsibilities. There’s all parts of the organization where you’re in a leadership position, people have been entrusted to you, roles have been entrusted to you, and this is a production business.”