The University of Florida is expected to hire former Jacksonville Jaguars general manager David Caldwell as the next general manager of the Gators, according to a report by On3’s Zach Abolverdi.
Caldwell served as the Jaguars’ general manager from 2013-2020, before heading to the Philadelphia Eagles organization as a personnel advisor in 2021. He managed a Super Bowl-winning roster in 2025 and held multiple positions across the NFL.
Caldwell worked with the Carolina Panthers from 1996-97, the Indianapolis Colts from 1998-2007 and the Atlanta Falcons from 2008-12. In January, Scott Stricklin began interviewing candidates for the general manager position, according to a report by 247’s Zach Goodall. Stricklin interviewed former Atlanta Falcons director of football operations Nick Polk, director of player personnel for the UFL’s Arlington Renegades Rick Mueller and current Ole Miss GM Matt Lindsay.
Polk, a top candidate, was hired as associate AD football general manager in February of this year, while Jacob LaFrance, who just finished his fourth season with the Gators, serves as GM for player personnel. LaFrance was hired as the director of player personnel ahead of the 2022 season and was named General Manager ahead of the 2024 season.
The acquisition of Caldwell follows UF’s hiring of Jon Sumrall’s as Florida looks to move forward from a lackluster season.
While the Gators have been in search of a general manager for some time, the University halted the hunt as its push to hire a new head coach grew stronger. The wait was related to the possibility of UF hiring newly-signed Louisiana State coach Lane Kiffin, who didn’t favor an empowered general manager who would stand on equal footing with UF’s coach, according to a report by CBS Sports.
Contact Curan Ahern at cahern@alligator.org. Follow him on X at @CuranAhern.
Curan is a third-year journalism-sports & media major who currently serves as the football beat reporter for The Alligator, now in his third semester with the paper. When not at his computer screen writing, Curan enjoys spending time outdoors, hanging with friends, family and pets, and watching the Patriots lose (no, he doesn't miss Brady).
