A surprise reunion is now coming after a former Florida interim coach took a new job

It’s been two months since it was reported that former Florida interm head coach Billy Gonzales was not being retained to be a part of Jon Sumrall’s 2026 staff.

However, it will not be the last time the Florida Gators see their beloved “Billy G.” They will be reunited with him, just on opposite sidelines, on October 17 when the Florida Gators travel to Austin to take on the Texas Longhorns. The Longhorns on Monday shocked the Gator nation when they announced their newest additions to their coaching staff. They have hired the former Gators wide receiver coach and interm head coach to serve as their wide receiver analyst.

Former Florida coach Billy Gonzales takes job at Texas

He joins Jabbar Juluke, who will also be joining the Longhorns’ coaching staff this season as the Associate Head Coach of defense and the running back coach. They join former Gators head coach Will Muschamp, who is Texas’ defensive coordinator.

Gonzales coached at Florida for 12 seasons, including tenures under Urban Meyer, Dan Mullen, and Billy Napier. He was first with the Gators from 2005-2009 as their wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator. He then departed Florida for LSU, Illinois, and Mississippi State, returning to Florida in 2018. From 2018 to 2021 Gonzales was the Gators’ co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers’ coach. He coached at FAU in 2022, before returning back to Gainesville for a third stint in 2023, where he served solely as the wide receivers coach until being told he was not being retained on Sumrall’s staff back in December.

Between 2005 and 2009, Gonzales helped seven Gators find themselves being named All-SEC wide receivers. The following were named to the first team: Chad Jackson (2005), Dallas Baker (2006), Percy Harvin (2007-2008), and Brandon James (2008). Cornelius Ingram (2007) and Riley Cooper (2009) were named second-team All-SEC wide receivers.

While coaching under Urban Meyer he helped lead the Gators to two BCS National Championships (2006, 2008).

In 2018, Gonzales led an offense that saw 11 different Gators record touchdown receptions (the most since 2009); that was also the year that Tyrie Cleveland, Josh Hammond, Van Jefferson, and Freddie Swain were all seniors and combined for 2,006 yards, recording 17 touchdowns on 139 receptions. Swain, Jefferson, Lamical Perine, and Kyle Pitts all had at least five receiving touchdowns that season as well. 2018 was a record year for the Florida offense, and the receivers were led by the talented Gonzales.

“Billy G” was instrumental in Eugene Wilson III’s huge freshman year and made a big impact on the now San Francisco 49ers wide receiver, Ricky Pearsall’s senior year. He and Wilson were the only SEC receiving pair to each rank in the top six in receptions during the regular season. Pearsall ranked fourth with 65 receptions, and Wilson III trailed just behind him in sixth with 61 receptions. He also ended that season with a career-high 965 receiving yards, with 42 of 65 catches being for first downs.

When Florida announced that Gonzales would be their interim head coach after Billy Napier was released, not a single player batted an eye. It showed their dedication and unwavering respect and love for Coach Gonzales.

Texas will be the tenth college Gonzales will coach at and when the Gators visit Austin in October, you can be sure there will be hugs and nothing but love for Gonzales from his beloved Gator boys returning to Florida this season.

Texas will open their 2026 on Saturday, September 5 at home against in-state foe Texas State.