Vernell Brown Jr. receives promotion on Billy Napier's Florida staff
Vernell Brown Jr. has been promoted by new Florida coach Billy Napier, who named the former Gator his senior director of player development and alumni relations on Thursday.
Brown, a Gainesville native and UF cornerback from 2001-05, was hired as Florida’s director of football student-athlete development and pro liaison in Feb. 2018.
Brown will continue to play a key role in the program, serving as a lead for personal development, mental health, and collegiate affairs for current athletes.
He will serve as a bridge between current athletes and former players, and also assist in creating connections between University of Florida and University Athletic Association personnel and current players to create a network of support.
Vernell Brown Jr. was retained in December
Brown revealed on Dec. 6 that he had been retained by Napier, who has announced 22 off-field hires to his inaugural Florida Gators staff.
Napier has made 32 total hires since Dec. 6, including four on his strength staff. Napier has added six on-field coaches, with an eye on several current NFL assistants to round out the staff.
Additionally, former Gator Mike Peterson will be announced as outside linebackers coach and alumni liaison later today.
Peterson will join Patrick Toney (co-defensive coordinator/safeties) and Corey Raymond (cornerbacks) are the three defensive coaches who have been hired. Jabbar Juluke (running backs), Darnell Stapleton (offensive line), Keary Colbert (receivers), and William Peagler (tight ends) round out the rest of the current staff.
The three analysts who will assist the on-field coaches are Ryan O’Hara (quarterbacks – Napier), Jamar Chaney (linebackers), and Matt Bergeron (receivers – Colbert).
Additionally, Napier has tapped Mark Hocke to run the strength and conditioning program. Hocke will be joined by Joe Danos, Karmichael Dunbar, and Edward Thompson.
