Three Views on Russ Callaway’s Promotion to florida
Following Florida’s appointment of tight ends coach Russ Callaway to co-offensive coordinator, All Gators offers three observations.
Zach Galliebely February 25, 2024 12:01 PM EST
Russ Callaway, the tight ends coach and co-offensive coordinator for Florida, is pictured. Credit: Zach Goodall
Florida’s Gainsville — Russ Callaway, the tight ends coach at Florida, received a promotion on National Signing Day, which Billy Napier hinted at, and now he has been rewarded with the position of co-offensive coordinator.
In what ways will this action alter Florida’s offensive strategy? Will Callaway assume the role of play-caller for the Gators? Does UF still have any coaching decisions to make?
All Gators makes an effort to respond to these inquiries and offers three opinions regarding the move below.
It was evident that Callaway was given more responsibility in the Gators’ offensive scheme.
With UF, Callaway has had two promotions in as many offseasons. He began working with the Gators in 2022 as an off-field analyst then was hired in 2023 to coach tight ends on the field.
Russ Callaway, TE coach for the Florida Gators
Russ Callaway, TE coach for the Florida Gators
Russ Callaway, the tight ends coach and co-offensive coordinator for Florida, at UF’s autumn training camp in 2023.
Zachary Goodall
After directing an offense in his sixth season as a college coach at Samford and getting hired by an NFL team to work off the field in his eleventh, Callaway is still progressing as an assistant coach, with his most recent position being the most prominent.
On National Signing Day, Florida head coach Billy Napier hinted that Callaway, who had a spectacular season coaching the Gators’ tight ends, will only get better.
Under Callaway’s guidance, the Gators relished the success of redshirt freshman Arlis Boardingham and Hayden Hansen, who combined for 38 receptions, 439 yards, and six touchdowns in 2023.
“We’ve collaborated closely for a year now. In the end, I believe that he is a man who will undoubtedly take on greater responsibility “On February 7, Napier stated. “How we define that, you know, I think we’ll work our way through that.”In the end, Russ is a very talented young coach. Like me, he played quarterback, called plays at various levels, worked on defense as a young coach, possessed leadership qualities, and was well-liked by the players. Therefore, we are really excited about Russ.”
Callaway’s new responsibilities will not take away from his supervision of the Gators’ tight ends.
Going ahead, it’s less certain who will call plays for Florida.
With Callaway and offensive line coach Rob Sale sharing the role—Sale has served as the Gators’ offensive coordinator in name for the previous two seasons—Florida now has two offensive coordinators.
However, it is a fact that neither of the offensive coordinators at UF calls plays. Napier has done so ever since he was hired as the head coach of the Gators, and when questioned about the possibility of doing so in the past, he was evasive about releasing the duty.
Callaway has promoted a change, but it’s uncertain if it will happen.
On National Signing Day, Napier stated, “What I would say is all that needs to be determined.” “I believe we have enough time to work those issues out. But other from how we run that group and how we arrange ourselves, I don’t see any significant changes.”
As Florida’s play-caller, Napier has had mixed but occasionally encouraging outcomes. The Gators finished 2023 in the center of the Southeastern Conference pack, down 1.1 points and 15 average yards from 2022 but ranking sixth in terms of points per game (28.4) and sixth in terms of yards per game (409.1).
In 2023, Billy Napier, the head coach of the Gators, led Florida against Arkansas.
Alex Shepherd
The SEC’s No. 7 passing offense (259.3 yards per game) was produced by Napier’s precision passing on 48.1% of plays in 2023, bucking his historical trend of being run-dominant, which produced 25 touchdowns from Montrell Johnson, Trevor Etienne, and Anthony Richardson combined on a 56.3%/43.7% team-wide run/pass split in 2022.
Given the unit’s mediocre results over the course of two seasons, structural adjustments may be warranted; Callaway’s endorsement supports this theory. But how significant could such changes be?
Yes, you know, I would say that we are in the process of defining those positions, and I believe that we are making progress in that regard. To some extent, I do believe that there will be distinct obligations. You know, I believe you’ll see, we’ll probably talk about that in greater detail later on,” Napier remarked.
In an effort to adjust his workload and become a more effective head coach, he cited Florida’s offseason front office and special teams hires, leaving up the possibility of giving play-calling duties to a member of the staff.
It’s really an effort to set things up correctly, so you know that I have time allotted to me in the appropriate locations,” Napier said. “Considering all the new things that come with the work, I think the past two years have been amazing.
Offensively, I believe that within that group of people, we can have distinct titles and responsibilities. We’ve rearranged the deck a little bit in terms of those things, so there might be one or two additions, but ultimately we’ll stick with the current structure and keep going in that direction.
Given his elevation and his expertise planning offenses, Callaway would be the most suitable candidate to relieve Napier of these responsibilities.
What does Callaway’s rise signify, though, if Napier stays in the primary role? Could he write Napier’s offensive game plan for opening day? While Sale is directing the rushing game, plan the passing attack?
In the end, only time will tell.
There is still one coaching spot available on Florida’s staff.
Callaway’s promotion has no bearing on the Gators’ quest to fill the last assistant position because he is already a part of Florida’s on-field staff and will continue to coach tight ends.
The void left by co-offensive line coach Darnell Stapleton’s transfer to the Washington Commanders on February 15 has not yet been filled by UF.
