Florida Adds Special Teams Ace Johnathan Galante to Coaching Staff
GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Florida football just made a major move to bolster its third phase, announcing the hiring of Johnathan Galante as the Gators' new special teams coordinator. And if his recent track record is any indication, Gainesville could be in for a serious upgrade in the kicking game.
Galante arrives from Tulane, where he turned heads in 2025 by orchestrating one of the top special teams units in the country. Under his guidance, the Green Wave not only captured the American Athletic Conference (AAC) title but also punched their ticket to the College Football Playoff - a historic moment for the program. His unit didn’t just contribute; it helped drive that success.
Across multiple advanced metrics, Tulane’s special teams were elite. They finished ninth nationally in ESPN’s special teams efficiency rankings, 14th in ESPN’s SP+, and 21st in the SFEI rankings.
That kind of consistency across the board isn’t easy to come by - it speaks to both scheme and execution. Galante’s work earned him a Broyles Award nomination, which goes to the top assistant coach in college football.
“Coach Galante has proven to be one of the best special teams coordinators in the country and has SEC experience,” said Florida head coach Jon Sumrall. “His units have consistently ranked among the nation's best, and he's put players in a position to succeed and earn conference, national and All-America honors.”
That last part is key. Galante’s not just producing strong units - he’s developing standout specialists.
In 2025, Tulane kicker Patrick Durkin became the first player in school history to win AAC Special Teams Player of the Year. Punter Alec Clark earned first-team all-conference honors, while return man TJ Smith and long snapper Jason Arredondo also picked up third-team recognition.
That’s four different special teamers earning postseason accolades - a testament to Galante’s ability to coach across the board.
Galante’s rise has been steady and well-earned. Before Tulane, he spent three seasons running the special teams at Marshall.
When he got there, the unit was ranked 74th in the nation in SFEI. By the time he left in 2024, they’d climbed to 24th.
That’s not just improvement - that’s transformation.
And the individual talent he developed at Marshall was just as impressive. In 2024, return specialist Ian Foster was named First-Team All-Sun Belt.
The year before, Jayden Harrison led the FBS with a 31.9-yard kickoff return average and tied for the national lead with two kickoff return touchdowns. Harrison’s electric play earned him first-team honors from the FWAA, Walter Camp, CBS Sports, Sports Info Solutions, and the Sun Belt.
Meanwhile, punter John McConnell earned third-team All-Sun Belt honors in the same season.
Before his time at Marshall, Galante served as a special teams analyst at Alabama from 2019 to 2022 - a stint that gave him valuable SEC experience and exposure to championship-level operations. He also got his coaching start as a graduate assistant at Virginia Tech in 2017 and 2018, cutting his teeth in the ACC.
Galante brings more than just a proven resume - he brings a mindset. His units play fast, smart, and disciplined.
And in a conference like the SEC, where the margin for error is razor-thin, special teams often swing games. Florida is betting that Galante can be that difference-maker.
“My family and I are extremely grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the historic Florida football program,” Galante said. “We look forward to serving the Gainesville community and bringing a winning edge to the kicking game at the University of Florida.”
It’s a new era for the Gators’ special teams - and with Galante at the helm, it’s one that could be defined by precision, production, and playmaking.