Initial reports of Florida hiring New York Giants director of strength and performance [autotag]Craig Fitzgerald[/autotag] came in a week ago, but the Gators are just now making the move official.
“I’m extremely excited to join coach Napier and his staff, and to be part of Gator Nation,” Fitzgerald said in a press release from the UAA. “I look forward to being part of such a storied program and can’t wait to get to work.”
Napier praised Fitzgerald for his work over 25 years at the collegiate and professional levels. Fitzgerald has experience in the SEC and in the NFL, which should help prepare players for the next level.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Craig and his family — his wife, Mary, and sons, Mac, Joe and Luke, to Gainesville and to the UF community,” Napier said. “We’re very excited to add Coach Fitz to our team. He brings a significant level of experience in both college and the NFL. He will help each player on our team reach their potential. His reputation precedes itself and we are excited about the leadership he will bring and the impact he will have on our entire organization.”
Fitzgerald is leaving the New York Giants after four seasons for Florida. Before that, he was at Tennessee and with the Houston Texans. He also made stops at Harvard, Penn State and South Carolina when Steve Spurrier was the head coach.
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