The University of Florida hired more than a football coach on Sunday. Along with bringing in Jon Sumrall to coach the Gators, they have hired the former general manager of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Dave Caldwell, to assume the role with the Gators.
Scott Stricklin discussed how this position will be “restructured” and “reimagined” as part of trying to get the Florida Gators back to being a championship-caliber team. Caldwell will oversee roster and contract management, recruiting, the personnel department, football operations, and the GatorMade program.
Florida hires Dave Caldwell
The purpose of this is that all departments run with efficiency and are aligned together by someone with championship experience, and that’s what Caldwell has. Just like in the NFL, Caldwell will work with head coach Jon Sumrall to help him build and produce championship teams while allowing Sumrall to focus on the football operations at a high level as well.
Caldwell served as the General Manager for the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2013-2020. During that time the team won the AFC South in 2017 and was just one win away from the Super Bowl, losing to the Patriots 20-24.
They have yet to have a season that matched that, and as mentioned, Caldwell was let go in 2020 after the Jaguars lost 10 straight games.
Most recently, Caldwell has worked in player personnel for the Philadelphia Eagles, leading them to two Super Bowls, including in 2024 when they defeated the Kansas City Chiefs.
He also served as a consultant for the Baltimore Ravens in 2021. Prior to that, he was with the Atlanta Falcons (2008-2012), Indianapolis Colts (1998-2007), and Carolina Panthers (1996-1997). 13 of those 17 seasons, his teams made playoff appearances.
Caldwell will now bring his NFL experience to the Gators in hopes of leading the team to a college football championship.
Along with the introduction of Sumrall, Caldwell was introduced as the next Gators’ General Manager on Monday. It is reported that he will honor the commitments of all of the class of 2026 recruits.