![New Florida secondary coach Will Harris directs his defensive backs during the Florida Gators as they held their final open Spring football practice before the Orange and Blue Game at Sanders Practice Fields in Gainesville, FL on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_2043,h_1149/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/213/01jm1436jmzy8p61ygdh.jpg "New Florida secondary coach Will Harris directs his defensive backs during the Florida Gators as they held their final open Spring football practice before the Orange and Blue Game at Sanders Practice Fields in Gainesville, FL on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]")
When Florida Football went out and hired Will Harris last year, not much was known about the defensive backs coach. He had a couple solid years with Washington before a brief stint with the Los Angeles Chargers.
After just one year in Gainesville, Harris is back on the move as Matt Zenitz of 247Sports has reported that Harris will be heading south and joining the staff of the Miami Hurricanes.
Florida Football: Checkmate
Harris’ impact in Gainesville was immediate. Clips from spring practice went viral as he put a heavy emphasis on tackling, something Florida was poor at in 2023.
Floride made a jump from three interceptions in 2023 to 14 in 2024. The Gators also improved their passing defense, cutting down yards per attempt and finishing the season on a four-game winning streak where they held opponents to just 13 points per game.
Harris kept the unit intact even after injuries to Jason Marshall, among others. Marshall, in particular, had a noticeable jump in play in 2024 prior to his season-ending injury.
On the recruiting trail, Harris helped Florida land prospects Ben Hanks III and safety Hylton Stubbs.
But while Florida hoped to retain Harris, there had been rumblings that Harris was looking around to leave Gainesville, though Miami specifically wasn't among the rumblings. Harris will now be tasked with revamping Miami’s struggling secondary alongside cornerbacks coach Zac Etheridge.
Florida hired Vinnie Sunseri as a co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach a few weeks ago, and it is unclear whether or not Sunseri will now take over the entire secondary or if Billy Napier has another hire to make.