UF coach Jim McElwain tabs running backs and strength coach for new Gators staff By Edgar Thompson <http://www.orlandosentinel.com/os-edgar-thompson-bio-20140718-staff.html>Orlando Sentinelcontact the reporter <[email protected]?subject=Regarding%20UF%20coach%20Jim%20McElwain%20tabs%20running%20backs%20and%20strength%20coach%20for%20new%20Gators%20staff> [image: Photo: Jim McElwain] New Gators coach Jim McElwain (Stephen M. Dowell, Orlando Sentinel) Skipper helped develop Ryan Matthews into a first-round pick out of Fresno State Kent is a 33-year veteran who trained NFL stars Darrelle Revis, Jordy Nelson and Deion Branch
New UF coach Jim McElwain turned to Colorado State University, his former school, to fill out two positions on the Gators staff. He plans to hire Tim Skipper to coach running backs and Mike Kent to handle the strength and conditioning program. lRelated <http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/florida-gators/swamp-things-blog/os-gators-jim-mcelwain-new-staff-20150102-post.html#>[image: Bianchi: McElwain responds to Dan Mullen saying Gators job is 'lateral move'] <http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/open-mike/os-gators-mcelwain-mullen-mississippi-state-20141223-post.html>OPEN MIKE <http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/open-mike/os-gators-mcelwain-mullen-mississippi-state-20141223-post.html>Bianchi: McElwain responds to Dan Mullen saying Gators job is 'lateral move' <http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/open-mike/os-gators-mcelwain-mullen-mississippi-state-20141223-post.html>SEE ALL RELATED <http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/florida-gators/swamp-things-blog/os-gators-jim-mcelwain-new-staff-20150102-post.html#> 8 <http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/florida-gators/swamp-things-blog/os-gators-jim-mcelwain-new-staff-20150102-post.html#> New UF coach Jim McElwain turned to Colorado State University, his former school, to fill out two positions on the Gators staff. [image: New Florida gators head coach Jim McElwain] <http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/florida-gators/swamp-things-blog/os-gators-jim-mcelwain-new-staff-20150102-post.html#> Iliana Limon Romero and Chris Hays discuss the road ahead for new Florida Gators head coach Jim McElwain. A source close to the CSU program confirmed McElwain will hire Tim Skipper to coach UF’s running backs. Meanwhile, Rams strength and conditioning coach Mike Kent also will join McElwain in Gainesville, the source said. Those are the only hires McElwain is expected to make from CSU. McElwain left CSU for UF on Dec. 4, but did not plan to bring any of his former staff with him. McElwain has since hired Mississippi State defensive coordinator Geoff Collins and former Michigan offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier. This week, McElwain reportedly hired former UM head coach Randy Shannon away from Arkansas to serve as UF’s linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator. cComments <http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/florida-gators/swamp-things-blog/os-gators-jim-mcelwain-new-staff-20150102-post.html#> Got something to say? Start the conversation and be the first to comment. <http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/florida-gators/swamp-things-blog/os-gators-jim-mcelwain-new-staff-20150102-post.html#> ADD A COMMENT <http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/florida-gators/swamp-things-blog/os-gators-jim-mcelwain-new-staff-20150102-post.html#> 0 <http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/florida-gators/swamp-things-blog/os-gators-jim-mcelwain-new-staff-20150102-post.html#> Skipper coached linebackers for three seasons and served as McElwain’s assistant head coach the past two at CSU. Prior to that Skipper, 36, coached at Fresno State, where he helped develop Ryan Matthews into a first-round pick in 2010 by the San Diego Chargers. Brother Kelly Skipper currently coached running backs this past season with the Oakland Raiders, while their father, Jim, coaches running backs with the Carolina Panthers and is in his 41st season of coaching. Tim Skipper will replace Brian White, who has been with the Gators the past six seasons. [image: NCAA Football: Eastern Kentucky at Florida] [image: NCAA Football: Eastern Kentucky at Florida] [image: NCAA Football: Eastern Kentucky at Florida] [image: NCAA Football: Eastern Kentucky at Florida] [image: NCAA Football: Eastern Kentucky at Florida] Brant Parsons Kent is a 34-year veteran who worked the past three seasons for McElwain at CSU. Kent has had numerous stops during his career and helped trained a number of players who went on to successful NFL careers, including cornerback Darrelle Revis at Pittsburgh, Josh Freeman and Jordy Nelson at Kansas State, linebacker Dexter Coakley at Appalachian State, quarterback Jeff Blake at East Carolina and wide receiver Deion Branch at Louisville, where McElwain was Branch’s position coach. Kent is a native of West Virginia who served as a strength coach, offensive line coach and social studies teacher at Miramar High School from 1984-85. Kent will replace Jeff Dillman at UF. -- -- GATORS: ONE VOICE ON SATURDAY - NO VOICE ON SUNDAY! 1996 National Football Champions | 2006 National Basketball Champions 2006 National Football Champions | 2007 National Basketball Champions 2008 National Football Champions | Three Heisman Trophy winners: Steve Spurrier (1966), Danny Wuerffel (1996), Tim Tebow (2007) - Visit our website at www.gatornet.us --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "GatorTalk" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
