Florida's defense is quickly becoming Kentucky South

Former Kentucky linebacker, graduate assistant, linebackers coach, and co-defensive coordinator Jon Sumrall is now back in the SEC after a 43-11 run over four years at Troy and Tulane that included two Sun Belt titles, one American championship, and a College Football Playoff appearance. His first staff at Florida will include a lot of Kentucky flavor.

Long-time Kentucky defensive coordinator Brad White was one of Sumrall’s first hires once he landed in Gainesville. Now another long-time Kentucky assistant will be moving to The Swamp.

Florida has made two hires to its secondary staff, sources tell @On3sports.

UCF defensive backs coach Brandon Harris is set to coach cornerbacks, with Kentucky co-defensive coordinator Chris Collins set to focus on DBs/safeties. CBS first.https://t.co/nfUjnUxG5F pic.twitter.com/b4bBRXvaha

— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos) December 13, 2025

After Steve Clinkscale left Kentucky for Michigan following the 2020 season, Mark Stoops hired Georgia State safeties coach and recruiting coordinator Chris Collins to coach cornerbacks at Kentucky. Collins spent five seasons with the program. His first year on staff was when Sumrall was the co-defensive coordinator. Heading into year four in 2024, Collins was promoted to co-defensive coordinator and held that role for two seasons. Now the former Western Carolina defensive back will spend a sixth year in the SEC at another school.

Three of Kentucky’s full-time defensive staffers will now be running the defense at Florida. Sumrall has become a head coach while White and Collins will be in similar roles in Gainesville. That makes Florida’s trip to Lexington in November extra interesting.

Chris Collins becomes the latest Kentucky staff member to find a landing spot in the SEC. White will be the defensive coordinator at Florida while offensive line coach Eric Wolford (LSU) and offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan (Mississippi State) will also be staying in the league.

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