Florida Adds Chris Collins as Safeties Coach, Tapping into Proven Defensive Pedigree
Jon Sumrall’s staff in Gainesville continues to take shape, and he’s added a key piece to the defensive puzzle. Florida has officially named Chris Collins as its new safeties coach-a move that brings both continuity and proven production to the Gators' secondary.
Collins isn’t just another name on the coaching carousel. He’s coming off a five-year run at Kentucky, where he served as co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach under Brad White, now Florida’s defensive coordinator. That connection is no coincidence-these two have built something together before, and now they’ll look to replicate that success in The Swamp.
A Track Record of Development and Results
What Collins accomplished in Lexington speaks for itself. Over the past three seasons, Kentucky produced three straight NFL Draft picks from the secondary-something that had only happened once before in the program’s history. That run was capped in 2025 when Maxwell Hairston became the highest-drafted defensive back in Kentucky history, going in the first round.
And it wasn’t just about sending guys to the league. The Wildcats' defense under Collins consistently created turnovers, notching double-digit interceptions in four straight seasons.
In 2025, Kentucky picked off 12 passes-third-most in the SEC. Ty Bryant tied for the conference lead with four picks and finished the year as UK’s lone All-SEC selection.
Just a year earlier, Hairston led the SEC in interceptions with five.
It’s clear Collins has a knack for getting the most out of his defensive backs. His players don’t just make plays-they develop into pros.
Defensive Consistency at a High Level
Kentucky’s defense wasn’t just opportunistic-it was consistently stingy. From 2021 to 2024, the Wildcats finished among the top 45 defenses in the FBS each season.
In 2024, they were one of the best in the red zone, ranking sixth nationally by allowing scores on just 70.8% of opponent trips. Their pass defense was no slouch either, finishing 21st in the country.
But 2022 might have been Collins’ crown jewel. That season, Kentucky ranked top-15 nationally in three major categories: seventh in passing defense (170.8 yards per game), 11th in total defense (311.4), and 13th in scoring defense (19.2 points per game). Within the SEC, those marks put them in elite company.
Collins’ ability to consistently deliver high-level defensive play, especially in the secondary, makes him a strong addition to a Florida program looking to reestablish its defensive identity.
Building from the Ground Up
Before his time at Kentucky, Collins built his résumé through a series of developmental stops that shaped his coaching DNA. At Georgia State (2017-20), he served as safeties coach and later took on recruiting coordinator duties.
There, he helped the Panthers to three bowl appearances, including the program’s first-ever bowl win in 2017. Even during the pandemic-disrupted 2020 season, Collins helped guide Georgia State to a 6-4 record and a dominant bowl win over Western Kentucky.
That year, he coached redshirt freshman Antavious Lane, who tied the school record with four interceptions in just eight games and later earned second-team All-Sun Belt honors. Collins' defense held WKU to just 284 yards in the bowl game and picked off quarterback Tyrell Pigrome for the first time all season-ending a streak of 278 pass attempts without an interception.
Collins’ recruiting chops also showed in 2020, when Georgia State brought in its highest-rated class in program history, per 247Sports. His fingerprints were all over that progress.
A Coaching Journey Rooted in Defense
Collins’ coaching career began at his alma mater, Western Carolina, where he was a standout safety and linebacker from 2006-09. He racked up over 300 tackles, forced nine fumbles, and earned All-Southern Conference honors as a senior. That toughness and versatility as a player have translated to his coaching stops.
After stints at Appalachian State and Catawba College-where he coached future NFL defensive back L.J. McCray-Collins returned to Western Carolina to begin his coaching journey in earnest. Whether working with linebackers, safeties, or special teams, Collins has always brought a player-first approach that emphasizes development and fundamentals.
What This Means for Florida
With Collins joining forces again with Brad White, Florida’s secondary is in capable hands. The Gators are getting a coach who’s not only developed NFL talent but who’s also been part of building top-tier defenses at the SEC level. His familiarity with White’s system adds a layer of continuity that should help fast-track the unit’s growth.
“Coach Collins brings great experience to our defensive staff, as well as an extensive history working alongside Coach Brad White,” Sumrall said. “He will be a great asset for our program with his proven ability to develop and maximize the talent of his players.”
For Collins, it’s a new chapter in a coaching career built on results, development, and defensive excellence.
“I’m blessed and thankful to be a part of the great staff that Coach Sumrall has assembled here at Florida,” Collins said.
The Gators are looking to get back to playing championship-caliber defense-and with Chris Collins now in the fold, they’ve taken another big step in that direction.