Defensive line assistant Kali James leaving Gators
Popular Florida Gators assistant Kali James is expected to leave the program for an on-field job at Jackson State, sources confirmed to Gators Online.
James was an assistant defensive line coach for Florida. He had recently been promoted from his previous role as the defensive line graduate assistant.
Although James was not an on-field assistant for the Gators, he played a vital role with the program. That was particularly true when it came to recruiting as multiple prospects have talked him up to Gators Online over the past couple years.
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The following is from James’ official bio with the Gators:
He joined the program in 2022 after spending the two previous seasons (2020-21) as the defensive line coach for Land Christian Academy, and one year (2019) as a defensive line coach intern at South Carolina.
James Jr. played four years (2016-19) at Tuskegee University where he played in all 43 games, including being a four-year starter at defensive tackle. He served as team captain his junior and senior years and was awarded the Golder Tiger Character Award.
He totaled 62 career tackles, 19 TFLs, 7.5 sacks and a fumble recovery for a touchdown his sophomore season.
A native of Riverdale, Ga., he graduated from Tuskegee with his degree in psychology.
James would be the second significant departure on the defensive line since the end of last season.
Defensive line coach Sean Spencer, who coached at Florida during head coach Billy Napier’s first two seasons with the Gators, was fired in November. He has since been replaced by Gerald Chatman, who came from Tulane.
On National Signing Day in December, Napier said James was getting a promotion.
“We’ve promoted Kali James,” Napier told reporters. “He’s a graduate assistant; he’s kind of the assistant defensive line coach and is going to help us with the hybrid players.”
So valuable at Florida, the Gators selected James to recruit on the road after Spencer’s dismissal.
