Florida Adds a Rising Star: Brandon Harris Joins Gators as Cornerbacks Coach
Jon Sumrall is wasting no time putting his stamp on the Florida Gators’ coaching staff. On Tuesday, he added another key piece to his defensive puzzle, announcing the hire of Brandon Harris as the team’s new cornerbacks coach. And if Harris’ résumé is any indication, Florida’s secondary just got a serious boost.
Harris comes to Gainesville fresh off a strong year at UCF, where he served as the Knights’ defensive backs coach in 2025. Under his guidance, UCF’s pass defense wasn’t just good-it was one of the best in the Big 12.
The Knights ranked third in the conference and top-25 nationally in passing yards allowed per game (185.1), a mark that also stood as the program’s best since 2001. They also allowed the fourth-fewest passing touchdowns in the league (13), and their 10.48 yards per completion allowed was among the stingiest in the country.
It wasn’t just about limiting yardage-Harris’ defensive backs were active and physical. Phillip Dunnam and Demari Henderson finished third and fourth on the team in tackles, and Dunnam’s three interceptions tied for 11th in the Big 12. That kind of production speaks to a unit that plays fast, smart, and aggressive-exactly what Sumrall is looking to build in Gainesville.
“Coach Harris is one of the best up-and-coming coaches in the country,” Sumrall said. “We’re thrilled to have him on staff. He brings strong in-state ties and a proven track record-not just on the field, but in developing players into NFL draft picks.”
That track record has been building for years. Before his stint at UCF, Harris spent three seasons at Florida Atlantic, where he climbed the ranks from cornerbacks coach to co-defensive coordinator and eventually interim DC in 2024. During his time in Boca Raton, Harris helped develop five all-conference selections in the secondary, including standout true freshman CJ Heard, who earned Third Team All-ACC honors in 2024 after leading the team with 82 tackles.
FAU’s defense under Harris wasn’t just solid-it was opportunistic. The Owls snagged 33 interceptions over his three-year tenure, averaging 11 per season, and scored multiple defensive touchdowns in 2024.
They forced at least one turnover in eight of 12 games that year and finished among the nation’s top 40 in red zone defense. Seven of their opponents were held to 25 points or fewer, including AAC champion Army.
In 2023, Harris’ unit continued to impress. Graduate safety Jarron Morris filled the stat sheet with team-leading numbers in tackles for loss (7.5), pass breakups (six), interceptions (three), and forced fumbles.
Morris even took one of those picks to the house. That kind of all-around production helped FAU finish third nationally in fewest penalties, a sign of discipline and attention to detail that coaches love to see.
Harris’ impact was felt from day one. In his first season at FAU in 2022, the Owls intercepted 12 passes-good for 12th in the FBS-and he helped defensive backs Teja Young and Armani Adams earn All-Conference USA honorable mentions.
Before his time at FAU, Harris made stops at FIU (2021) as cornerbacks coach and Florida State (2020) as a defensive analyst. Across those two seasons, he worked with seven future NFL draft picks, including second-rounders Asante Samuel Jr. and Renardo Green. At FIU, he helped Stantley Thomas-Oliver become the program’s 10th all-time NFL draft pick and the first Panthers DB drafted in eight years.
Harris’ coaching chops are backed by a standout playing career. A Miami native, he starred at the University of Miami from 2008-10, earning First Team All-ACC and Second Team All-American honors in 2009.
That season, he ranked second nationally in pass breakups (15) and third in passes defended (17), while also finishing third on the team in tackles. He was a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award in both 2009 and 2010.
His college success translated to the pros, where he was selected in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans. Harris played four seasons in the NFL, appearing in 42 games and recording 48 tackles and 10 pass breakups. He later spent time in the CFL, winning a Grey Cup with the Toronto Argonauts in 2017.
Coaching runs in the Harris family. His father, Tim Harris Sr., is a high school coaching legend at Booker T. Washington in Miami-where Brandon played-and his brother, Tim Harris Jr., is currently the pass game coordinator and wide receivers coach at Florida State.
Now, Brandon Harris brings that pedigree, experience, and momentum to Gainesville.
"I'm very excited for the opportunity to be a Florida Gator," Harris said. "This is a special place, and I can't wait to get to work with Coach Sumrall and this amazing staff."
With Harris on board, Florida’s secondary is in the hands of a coach who knows what it takes to play at the highest level-and how to get his players there.