Kentucky co-defensive coordinator Chris Collins says goodbye to Big Blue Nation

The assistant coaching carousel is off and running. New Kentucky head coach Will Stein is working on filling out his first staff while former UK staff members are attempting to find new employers for the 2026 college football season. Chris Collins is the latest one to find a new home in the SEC.

The defensive backs coach who was promoted to co-defensive coordinator in 2024 is following defensive coordinator Brad White to Florida where he will work with Jon Sumrall again. Collins is ending a five-year run in Lexington that included one big promotion and a few big recruiting wins (Grant Godfrey, Tavion Gadson). On Sunday, he said goodbye to Kentucky after news broke on Saturday that he was headed to Gainesville.

My family and I are forever grateful.
Thank You BBN. Thank you Jesus!
~ Jeremiah 29:11 ~ pic.twitter.com/qAEwz6SZzT

— Chris Collins (@CoachC_Collins) December 15, 2025

“To the BBN: We are forever grateful. Thank you for welcoming us with open arms and for the incredible support you’ve shown,” Collins wrote.

On Nov. 14, Kentucky will host Florida at Kroger Field. This year’s meeting will have some added stakes with all of the Kentucky flavor now working on the coaching staff in Gainesville.

Where former Kentucky coaches landed this offseason

Coach	Position at Kentucky	New School	New Position
Bush Hamdan	Offensive Coordinator	Mississippi State	Associate Head Coach for Offense
Brad White	Defensive Coordinator	Florida	Defensive Coordinator
Chris Collins	Defensive Backs	Florida	Safeties
L’Damian Washington	Wide Receivers	Ole Miss	Wide Receivers
Eric Wolford	Offensive Line	LSU	Offensive Line
Derek Shay	Tight Ends	Texas A&M	Tight Ends
Chase Heuke	Director of Recruiting	Louisville	TBD
Brad Lambert	Defensive Analyst	Marshall	Defensive Coordinator

Want more coverage of Kentucky football? Join KSR+

KSR has been delivering UK Sports news in the most ridiculous manner for almost two decades. Now, you can get even more coverage of the Cats with KSR+. Now is the perfect time to join our online community. Subscribe now for premium articles, in-depth scouting reports, inside intel, bonus recruiting coverage, and access to KSBoard, our message board featuring thousands of Kentucky fans around the globe.

Lock in for a pivotal Kentucky Football offseason KSR Plus! We’re giving you behind-the-scenes intel you won’t find anywhere else. Join the most vibrant online community in the BBN for the exciting start of the Will Stein Era.