As Jon Sumrall works on assembling his staff for the Florida Gators, there weren’t many names from the previous staff that fans would have wanted to keep around. But there was a sentiment that wide receiver/interim coach Billy Gonzales could have been one of the coaches kept for the new staff in Gainesville.
But, based on a new report from Pete Nakos, that does not appear to be the case moving forward.
Billy Gonzales will not be retained by Jon Sumrall
Nakos has reported that Gonzales will not be retained by Sumrall, and Florida will look elsewhere for a new wide receiver coach.
Given the talent Gonzales brought in at wide receiver, it is somewhat surprising, as roster retention will be massive for Sumrall once the transfer portal officially opens. Gonzales had landed five-star wide receivers Vernell Brown III and Dallas Wilson in the previous cycle and just landed Davian Groce last week on signing day.
Gonzales was on his third stint with the Gators. He first came over with Urban Meyer in 2005 and was with the program through 2009. After stops at LSU and Illinois, he linked up with Dan Mullen at Mississippi State and came over with Mullen to Florida in 2018. Gonzales was in Gainesville through 2021, when Mullen was fired, and spent 2022 at FAU.
Then in 2023, he came back to Gainesville for one more go around and joined Billy Napier’s staff after then wide receivers coach Keary Colbert left for the Denver Broncos.
When Napier was fired, Gonzales was tabbed to be the interim coach to close out the final five games of the season. Florida had close losses to Georgia and Ole Miss, but was also blown out by Kentucky and Tennessee.
Gonzales picked up his first and only win as interim coach in the season finale against FSU.
Gonzales had previously stated he would like to stay in Gainesville if possible, but alas, he is off to his next journey.