Though still largely unannounced, new head coach Jim McElwain‘s first Florida Gators coaching staff appears to be near-complete.

According to ESPN recruiting analyst Derek Tyson, Central Florida defensive backs coach Kirk Callahan has accepted the same position with Florida.

Callahan, a former Gators graduate assistant (2010-11), is a relatively young coach – especially compared with the rest of Florida’s hires – as the UCF job he’s held since 2012 is his first true assistant gig.

Prior to that, he played for the Knights, served as a student assistant there in 2007 and was a graduate assistant for two years at North Carolina (2008-09)



Reports on Saturday had the Gators set to hire Western Kentucky’s Greg Nord as tight ends coach/special teams coordinator and Oakland Raiders’ defensive line coach Terrell Williams to the same position on Florida’s staff.

A number of other assistant hires have been reported over the last week but not yet confirmed by the Gators.

On Tuesday, OnlyGators.com first reported that director of strength and conditioning Jeff Dillman would leave Florida following its bowl game. Early Saturday morning, the Orlando Sentinel noted that Colorado State’s Mike Kent will take that open position.

On Wednesday, OnlyGators.com confirmed other reports that UF would poach Arkansas linebackers coach Randy Shannon to the same position. The next day, a report since confirmed by the Sentinel had CSU assistant Tim Skipper prepared to join Florida as running backs coach.

These reported hires come as McElwain has only officially announced two of his assistant coaches – defensive coordinator Geoff Collins and offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier – to this point.

Should all of these reports come to fruition, the Gators will already have seven of nine assistants – plus a strength and conditioning coordinator – in place. Florida is also expected to retain offensive line coach Mike Summers, leaving one spot (wide receivers coach) available on McElwain’s initial staff.