Florida reportedly expected to hire DBs coach Brandon Harris

GAINESVILLE, Florida. — New Florida Gators head coach Jon Sumrall is expected to hire UCF defensive backs coach Brandon Harris. The news was first reported by Matt Zenitz.

Harris was reportedly set to be hired by Florida State as its cornerbacks coach, according to Noles247. He’s now heading to Gainesville instead, per Zenitz’s report.

Harris joined UCF in 2025 and helped the Knights rank 25th nationally in pass defense this season. He coached cornerbacks at Florida Atlantic (2022-24) and FIU (2021).

Harris played cornerback at Miami from 2008-10 and was a second-round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. He spent six years in the league with the Houston, Tennessee and Miami.

Harris started his coaching career in 2019 as a graduate assistant at FIU. He spent the 2020 at Florida State as a defensive assistant before returning to FIU as cornerbacks coach.

Harris, 35, is a Miami native and attended Booker T. Washington High School, where he was named the Florida Gatorade Player of the Year in 2007. He’s the son of high school coaching legend Tim Harris Sr. and older brother of former Gators quarterback Treon Harris (2014-15).

Harris is the fifth assistant coach to reportedly join Sumrall’s staff. He has also hired OC Buster Faulkner, DC Brade White, defensive line coach Gerald Chatman and offensive line coach Phil Trautwein.

Gators Online reported on Thursday that longtime SEC assistant coach Derrick Nix interviewed with Florida this week for the running backs opening. Nix spent the last two years as the offensive coordinator at Auburn. He also has Alabama and Ole Miss reportedly interested in him.

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