The Florida Gators parted ways with secondary coach Corey Raymond and defensive line coach Sean Spencer Monday.
The move to part ways was made two days after UF’s 24-15 loss to the No. 4 Florida State Seminoles to finish the year 5-7, as first reported by Edgar Thompson of the Orlando Sentinel. Both defensive assistant coaches spent two seasons with the Gators
The decision to part ways with both coaches is the first move in the offseason for UF head coach Billy Napier and the Florida program.
Several current players and UF commits voiced their opinions about the move. Players like cornerbacks sophomore Devin Moore and freshman Ja’Keem Jackson took to social media to react to the move.
Players from the defensive line, like defensive lineman sophomore Chris McClellan and junior Cam Jackson, took to Twitter.
“That’s the last thing I wanted to hear tonight ain’t no way bro,” wrote Jackson in a Tweet.
Xavier Filsaime, a five-star Florida commit and the No. 2-ranked safety in the nation, tweeted, “Man wth,” Monday night.
“I’m telling y’all now I’m not going anywhere,” Filsaime said in an Instagram Live Monday night.
Florida gave up 226.7 passing yards per game on defense, which ranked ninth in the SEC and 68th in the nation, according to the NCAA. The Gators also gave up 13.95 yards per completion, which ranked last in the conference and T-123rd in the country.
Raymond became a highly touted assistant coach at LSU, but his short-lived tenure at UF did not provide successful results statistically.
The Gators’ run defense allowed 155.6 yards per game, which ranked 11th in the conference and 77th in the nation.
Spencer spent two seasons as the defensive line coach with the New York Giants before his stint at Florida.
The Gators also ranked T-86th in the country in allowing “explosive” plays, or plays of 20 or more yards. UF gave up 57 explosive plays in 2023. This figure also ranked 12th in the conference.
Florida also failed to force turnovers in the secondary or at the line, with just three interceptions and four fumble recoveries. UF’s seven forced turnovers rank 129th out of 130 in the country.
Contact Jackson Reyes at jacksonreyes@alligator.org. Follow him on Twitter @JacksnReyes.
Jackson Reyes is a UF journalism senior and The Alligator's Fall 2023 Sports Editor. He previously served as Digital Managing Editor and was a reporter and assistant editor on the sports desk. In his free time, he enjoys collecting records, long walks on the beach and watching Bo Nix.
