Florida Adds Trent McKnight to Offensive Staff, Bolstering Passing Game with Proven Developer of Talent
Gainesville just got a little more dangerous through the air.
Florida head coach Jon Sumrall announced the hiring of Trent McKnight as the Gators’ new passing game coordinator and inside wide receivers coach. McKnight arrives in Gainesville after two strong seasons at Georgia Tech, where his work with the Yellow Jackets’ receivers turned heads across the ACC-and evidently caught Sumrall’s attention.
“Coach McKnight fits the bill on what we need on our offensive staff,” Sumrall said. “He has a ton of experience and is widely respected in college football for the job he does with his players. His relationship with Coach Faulkner will also benefit not only the staff, but our players.”
And the résumé backs it up.
A Track Record of Results at Georgia Tech
In 2025, McKnight helped guide Georgia Tech to one of its best seasons in recent memory. The Yellow Jackets went 9-3, cracked the top 25 in the College Football Playoff Poll for just the second time in program history, and soared as high as No. 7 in the AP Poll by Week 9-their highest ranking since 2009.
That kind of success doesn’t happen without playmakers, and McKnight’s fingerprints were all over their development. Two of his wideouts, Jordan Allen and Malik Rutherford, finished in the top 10 in the ACC in Pro Football Focus receiving grades.
Allen, a true freshman, made his presence felt early and often, racking up 110 yards in a single game against Boston College-good for the fourth-most single-game receiving yards by an ACC rookie in 2025. He also hauled in a 78-yard bomb against Gardner-Webb, the longest reception by any ACC true freshman that season.
Meanwhile, Eric Rivers, Tech’s leading receiver, was Mr. Consistency. He extended his streak to 33 straight games with a catch-the longest active streak in the ACC-and led the team with 42 receptions and 556 yards.
What McKnight accomplished in just two seasons in Atlanta wasn’t a fluke. It was the continuation of a pattern.
Building Playmakers from the Ground Up
McKnight joined Georgia Tech in 2024 and made an immediate impact. That season, Malik Rutherford and Eric Singleton Jr. both earned All-ACC honors, combining for 118 receptions, 1,456 yards, and six touchdowns. They even chipped in 218 rushing yards, showcasing the kind of versatility McKnight encourages in his receivers.
Rutherford’s 62 catches in 2024 weren’t just a team-high-they ranked sixth in Tech’s single-season history and were the most by a Yellow Jacket since Calvin Johnson’s 76-catch season back in 2006. That’s elite company.
As a unit, Georgia Tech’s receivers totaled 177 catches, 2,218 yards, and 11 touchdowns in 2024. That kind of production doesn’t come by accident. It’s the result of detailed coaching, player development, and a clear offensive vision-all things McKnight brings to the table.
Proven Offensive Mind with Deep Experience
Before Georgia Tech, McKnight spent nearly a decade at Georgia State, first as the Panthers’ wide receivers coach (2017-21), then as offensive coordinator (2022-23). He coached nine All-Sun Belt receivers and helped develop three of the top five pass-catchers in program history, including Penny Hart, who went on to a five-year NFL career, and Jamari Thrash, a 2024 fifth-round NFL Draft pick.
In his first year as OC, McKnight’s offense didn’t just air it out-they ran it down opponents’ throats too. Georgia State led the Sun Belt in rushing and ranked 14th nationally.
They were one of just 18 FBS programs to average over 200 yards both rushing and passing. That kind of balance is rare and speaks to McKnight’s ability to scheme for multiple threats.
A Coaching Journey That Started at Samford
McKnight’s coaching roots trace back to Samford, where he held multiple roles over five seasons, including passing game coordinator, wide receivers coach, tight ends coach, and run game coordinator. In 2015, his offense ranked seventh nationally in total offense and third in passing. That same year, Samford led the Southern Conference in scoring with 34.6 points per game.
He coached four All-SoCon players during his tenure, but none stood out more than Karel Hamilton. The three-time first-team All-SoCon receiver finished his career with 3,803 yards and 31 touchdowns on 279 receptions. In 2016, Hamilton led the nation with 10.1 receptions per game and earned first-team All-America honors.
McKnight also had a brief stint at Georgia Military College and even served as a recruiting intern on Nick Saban’s first Alabama staff in 2007-08. That early exposure to high-level program building clearly left an impression.
What It Means for Florida
For Florida, this hire is more than just adding a position coach-it’s about injecting proven development and creativity into the passing game. McKnight has a history of turning young receivers into stars, balancing explosive plays with consistency, and getting the most out of his room.
“My family and I are extremely grateful to Coach Sumrall for the opportunity to join his staff at the University of Florida,” McKnight said. “I have a ton of respect for him as a leader and watching how his teams compete and play the game the right way. I am excited about the opportunity to work with some of the best coaches and players in the country at a place where we can compete for a national championship!”
McKnight’s arrival adds another layer to what Sumrall is building in Gainesville. With a strong track record of elevating receivers and coordinating balanced offenses, he’s poised to play a key role in shaping a Gators offense that can compete at the highest level.
And if history is any indication, Florida’s receivers are about to take a big step forward.