Tag: Austin Armstrong

Florida football’s stop rate has been essential to team’s success

The Florida Gators have been keeping opponents out of the endzone, boosting its stop rate percentage after four weeks.

Sports publication The Athletic has been keeping track of “stop rates” for college football programs around the nation and dropped its first ratings list after four weeks of action.

What exactly are “stop rates” and how does a sports news website keep track? The Athletic staff writer Max Olson explains it very well.

“It’s a basic measurement of success: the percentage of a defense’s drives that end in punts, turnovers or a turnover on downs. This simple metric can offer a more accurate reflection of a defense’s effectiveness in today’s faster-tempo college football than yards per game or points per game.”

The Florida Gators have been playing well on defense since the beginning of the season, never allowing more than 25 points to opposing teams. Analysts at The Athletic studied Florida’s efficiency and ranked them at No. 27.

According to the list, 75.8% of drives by opposing teams failed to finish with a field goal or a touchdown.

Florida defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong has flipped the Gators from being a defensive laughing stock to one of the best in the nation. The defense created 19 tackles-for-loss and put fear into quarterbacks with seven sacks.

A hit on Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Joe Milton III during the Week 3 battle caused the only interception for the Gators this season. The Gators ranked one spot ahead of the Volunteers, leading by a thin margin of 0.2%.

As for Florida’s future foes, the Georgia Bulldogs are the best SEC team on the list, stopping 83.8% of opponent drives. The LSU Tigers fell far below to No. 107 with a rate of 53.1%.

The Florida State Seminoles were tested heavily by Boston College and Clemson, dragging their stop percentage to 68.1%. The Seminoles escaped both games with a win but the defensive unit looks penetrable.

The Florida Gators will look to keep up its defensive effort as they travel to Lexington to challenge the Kentucky Wildcats. Kickoff is set for noon EDT and the game will broadcast on ESPN.

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Florida football players love new system under new defensive coordinator

The Florida Gators defense ran plays every 4 seconds in practice, leading up to matchup with Tennessee. The strategy worked and the Gators have a top 10 defense.

Florida Gators fans: rejoice.

The dark days are over as the Gators flipped the switch from a miserable defense, led by former coordinator Todd Grantham, to a new and enlightened front-seven who have shut down their opponents for the last two weeks.

Defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong was hired by head coach Billy Napier Feb. 27 and the 30-year-old brought in a new regime and attitude to turn the Gators into a top-10 defense.

Armstrong left the Alabama coaching staff, despite acknowledging that ‘Bama head coach Nick Saban is his “hero.” He also took notes learning from Florida legend Steve Spurrier and brought his own energy to Gainesville and the players love playing under his leadership.

Gators edge rusher Princely Umanmielen appreciates that Armstrong instills a lot of trust in his players.

“You know, I think Armstrong just really trusts his players. He really shows us that he trusts us,” Umanmielen said. “He’s not gonna go out there and rely on his scheme. He relies on the player. He tells us all the time, ‘Good players make good defenses.’ So you know, when he’s calling plays, he’s calling plays based off the players he’s got and trying to do it to their strengths.”

Florida safety Miguel Mitchell says it’s a lot of fun playing and learning under Armstrong.

“He brings a lot of energy every day and it shows through us,” Mitchell said. “I feel like we show it out on the field and we get that energy through him and we just spread it throughout the defense.”

“(Armstrong’s) just big on execution and being consistent day in and day out throughout the week,” Mitchell said. “Because if you have a great, consistent week of practice, it’s just going to carry over to Saturdays.”

The road trip to Salt Lake City was rough for the new coordinator and his team. The Utah Utes ran a fast offense and the Gators looked lost seconds before the snap. Players were looking to Armstrong for the next play and the tempo seemed off.

The tempo problems were quickly fixed during week 2 against McNeese State and a ridiculous practice strategy leading up to the Tennessee game resolved any issues.

The Tennessee Volunteers also run a dangerously fast offense, so Armstrong upped the tempo to prepare the team. Armstrong set a ludicrous pace where his defense was running a play after four seconds of rest.

“His tempo that we were doing in practice was way faster, it was like an unrealistic tempo. So, he was just doing that to get us ready for Tennessee,” Umanmielen said. “There was only one play where we weren’t lined up. We were ready because we went through it in practice.”

Armstrong asked his defenders if Tennessee was faster than his tempo in practice, to which the players responded “no” in unison.

Mitchell also felt the difference while playing against Tennessee.

“Oh yeah. We worked that tempo for sure,” Mitchell said. “It was easy in the game.”

“Tennessee’s tempo really didn’t get to us,” Mitchell continued. “We had a hard week — a big, hard week last week. Coach Armstrong made sure he got us right with tempo. We had a lot of reps in practice. Reps counts definitely helped.”

The players are behind the coach and his system, and used it to suffocate the Volunteers holding them to only 16 points on their way to a Florida win. The Gators tallied three tackles-for-loss, recorded a sack, and forced an errant throw from Joe Milton III that landed in the hands of Gators safety Devin Moore.

The Florida Gators’ next test will be at home when the Charlotte 49ers pay a visit to The Swamp. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. EDT and will broadcast on SEC Network+.

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Florida’s new DC finding ways to bring team closer together

Florida defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong believes football should fun, and he’s working hard on making his unit feel like a family.

Florida’s new defensive coordinator, [autotag]Austin Armstrong[/autotag] is finding ways to bring his unit closer together in the early days of fall training camp.

In a recent video posted to UF football’s YouTube channel, Armstrong motivates players before the break. All the defensive players he’s working with get up from their seats and greet each other with a hug or dap — a more intricate handshake, typically shared between teammates.

Armstrong believes that coaches can’t bring the best out in their players if there’s no connection between them. He’ll yell, scream and get on whichever players might be slacking during any given practice, but the message at the start of every day is always the same: “I’ve got your back”.

Florida’s new ritual before the start of practice has had a positive effect on the team.

“It’s almost like a family party or cookout,” defensive end Princely Umanmielen said. “We have music playing and then as soon as it ends, everyone is going around shaking hands. It makes everyone feel like one big family.”

And that’s the intent Armstrong had when he started the tradition at Southern Mississippi.

“We try to create energy and passion organically,” Armstrong said. “It’s not a show. It’s not a facade. Football is supposed to be fun, and we work really, really hard here.

“We have a great regimen and process in how we do things. I think sometimes we lose perspective. This is a game — and certainly you have to perform at a high level, especially at a place like Florida — but our process is that we need to have fun.”

Armstrong is the youngest defensive coordinator in college football, but he’s wise beyond his years. The defense has been the biggest problem in Gainesville over the past two seasons. A major improvement would make him a legend in Hogtown.

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Here are the new staff members joining the Florida Gators in 2023

A few major changes to the Florida coaching staff went down over the offseason, but don’t forget about the smaller positions that were filled as well!

Most Gators fans know that Florida will have a new man running the defense this season in Austin Armstrong, but Billy Napier has made eight more additions to his staff over the offseason, according to Gators Online.

Armstrong was already transitioning to the SEC as a new member of Alabama’s defensive staff when Napier came knocking. He couldn’t turn down an SEC coordinator gig under a head coach he’s familiar with — Armstrong and Napier worked together in Louisana.

Napier didn’t bring in any newcomers to fill the three position coaching spots that opened following staff departures to the NFL. He promoted cornerbacks coach Corey Raymond to defensive backs coach, elevated Russ Callaway to the tight ends coach spot and rehired former Florida wide receivers coach Billy Gonzelez.

The bulk of the eight first-year staff members are in quality control roles and are assigned to a position group. Eric Kiesau oversees the offense while Blake Shrader covers the defense. As far as position-specific assignments, Allen Brown has defensive backs, Kaleb Johnson has offensive linemen, Chad Lucas has wide receivers and Justin Posthuma has tight ends.

Napier also brought in Tyler Miles as the new director of player athletic development and John Donovan as a senior offensive analyst. Donovan did the same job for the Green Bay Packers a season ago, while Miles was an assistant director of sports performance at Duke.

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5-star safety commit to get visit from Florida DC Austin Armstrong

The Gators are back out on the road pounding the recruiting trail pavement, starting with this 5-star commit.

After a month of hosting prep prospects during its spring practice season, Florida football’s staff prepares to hit the road in the next leg of the recruiting cycle. Billy Napier’s staff will be out and about, both checking up on current commits as well as convincing the undecided to sign on with the Orange and Blue.

Among those set to host a coaching visit is five-star safety commit [autotag]Xavier Filsaime[/autotag] out of McKinney (Texas), who is expected to receive Florida’s defensive coordinator [autotag]Austin Armstrong[/autotag] on Monday at his school’s practice. The 6-foot-1-inch, 180-pound prospect is at the top of the Gators’ docket as his visit date is on the first day of the spring evaluation period.

Filsaime already has a very positive impression of Napier’s burgeoning program but there is always room for growth.

“What really stood out is the vibe and chemistry I had with the coaches when I first met them in person,” Filsaime told On3’s Hayes Fawcett after his last visit to Gainesville. “Also the fact that I’m from Florida and I’ll be back home. It’s only a two-hour flight from Texas, so it really worked out both ways.”

Filsaime is rated as a five-star recruit by 247Sports, but according to the 247Sports composite he rates at four stars and is ranked No. 36 overall and No. 2 at his position nationally. Meanwhile, the On3 industry ranking also has him at four stars and ranked at Nos. 32 and 2, respectively. Prior to his commitment Florida had three 247Sports crystal ball predictions and a 94.5% chance of landing him from On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine.

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Going over Florida DC Austin Armstrong’s contract details

Florida brought in a young, new defensive coordinator after Patrick Toney left for the NFL. Here’s how much Austin Armstrong will be paid.

Billy Napier brought in [autotag]Austin Armstrong[/autotag] to fill the defensive coordinator spot left vacant by [autotag]Patrick Toney[/autotag], who is now working in the NFL. Armstrong is one of the nation’s youngest defensive coordinators but he doesn’t come cheap.

According to a report from All Gators, Armstrong is set to receive $1,100,000 in his first year at Florida and receive increases of $100,000 in each of the following two seasons. That puts the total value at $3,600,000 over three years.

Armstrong was initially going to serve as Alabama‘s inside linebackers coach this season after two years as Southern Mississippi’s defensive coordinator, but getting the chance to call defensive plays in the SEC is too good to pass up. The money is right, too.

The AllGators report also included the salaries of two new position coaches, tight ends coach [autotag]Russ Callaway[/autotag] and wide receivers coach [autotag]Billy Gonzalez[/autotag]. Callaway is earning $300,000 after moving from his analyst role, and Gonzalez is getting $500,000. Both are on two-year deals through the end of January 2025.

Napier has $7,500,000 to work with for the on-field staff and another $5,000,000 for off-field assistants.

Additionally, a trio of basketball assistants is making a combined $1,120,000. Carlin Hartman, who has a been a key recruiter for the staff on several big-name targets, leads the way with a $565,000 salary, and Korey Gray and Kevin Hovde bring in a reported $365,000 and $190,000, respectively.

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Gators add fifth commitment to 2024 recruiting class

Florida’s recruiting class of 2024 is beginning to take shape with five commitments in the books after Monday’s announcement from Peach State safety Josiah Davis.

Berrien High (Nashville, Georgia) safety Josiah Davis announced his commitment to the University of Florida on Monday.

The 6-foot-1-inch, 185-pound defensive back picked Florida over Kentucky, Louisville, NC State and Tennessee to become the fifth commitment in Florida’s 2024 recruiting class.

Davis was in town on Saturday and let head coach Billy Napier know that he was going to announce his decision in the following days. Quickly bonding with the team’s new defensive coordinator, [autotag]Austin Armstrong[/autotag], among other coaches on the staff, played a large role in his decision.

“Florida is just a great school overall, football and academic-wise,” Davis said to On3’s Hayes Fawcett. “The bond I have with the coaches, especially coach CJ, coach Bateman, and Coach Armstrong. They treat me very special every time I visit up there.”

Davis is a three-star recruit, according to both 247Sports and On3. He comes in at No. 461 overall on the On3 industry ranking’s national list and at No. 39 among safeties in the class.

He joins five-star quarterback [autotag]DJ Lagway[/autotag], four-star linebackers [autotag]Myles Graham[/autotag] and [autotag]Adarius Hayes[/autotag] and four-star running back [autotag]Chauncey Bowens[/autotag] in the class of 2024.

Florida is now up to No. 3 in the national recruiting rankings, according to On3, but there’s still plenty of time for things to change in either direction.

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This 4-star safety sets return visit date to Florida in April

After getting a Junior Day offer from Florida, this stand-out safety looks to return to campus next month.

College football recruiting action has heated up in March following the end of the previous dead period and the Florida Gators have put the pedal to the metal in their efforts to field a winning team in the Swamp. Now that the floodgates are open, [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag] and his staff are working tirelessly while the iron is still hot.

While this month’s schedule is packed to the brim with visitors, those numbers also spill over into April when the Orange and Blue are slated to get four-star safety [autotag]Travaris Banks[/autotag] back on campus. The 6-foot-1-inch, 190-pound defensive back told Swamp247 on Friday that he plans on returning to Gainesville on April 8 after making a stop making a stop back in January.

Following Banks’ Junior Day visit that ended with him receiving a scholarship offer, the high school junior noted that Florida was among his top three schools so far.

“I would say they are one of my top schools,” he told 247Sports. “I would say them (Florida), Florida State, Tennessee are doing a good job with me.

“I liked the environment, the new facility they had, and they went through a lot of things with me. I got to see a demonstration of how things go in their weight room and how they do their meal prep for their players. I got to watch some film of how they do their practices and got to tour places where they do their academics and schoolwork too.”

Former safeties coach [autotag]Patrick Toney[/autotag] had previously led the charge for the young man’s talents, but now that he has departed for the NFL, assistant head coach and secondary coach [autotag]Corey Raymond[/autotag] is presumed in charge of his recruitment. The visit in April will give him a chance to acclimate with Raymond as well as new defensive coordinator [autotag]Austin Armstrong[/autotag].

Banks is ranked No. 126 overall and No. 9 at his position nationally according to the 247Sports composite while the On3 industry ranking also has him at Nos. 121 and 12, respectively. On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine currently has the Alabama Crimson Tide ahead of the pack for the defensive back’s talents with a 30.3% chance of signing him, while the Ole Miss Rebels, Florida State Seminoles and Auburn Tigers follow behind at 20.1%, 17.2% and 9.7%, respectively.

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Florida football adds new quality control coach to staff

Florida’s addition of this off-field staff member was recently confirmed.

Florida football recently added another member to Billy Napier’s army of staffers with the hiring of [autotag]Allen Brown[/autotag] as a defensive quality control coach, which was first announced by FootballScoop.

Brown spent last season with the California Bears in a quality control role following three seasons at the FCS level with his alma mater, the Eastern Washington Eagles, as the program’s cornerbacks coach and defensive passing game coordinator.

His six seasons as a player with ECU from 2009 to 2014 seamlessly transitioned into a role as a strength and conditioning intern while also assisting with the secondary of the program after his playing days ended. Brown found his next calling with the California Polytechnic State Mustangs from 2015 to 2018 where he served as the program’s cornerbacks coach.

The announcement was initially made by Brown himself on Feb. 18 via his personal Twitter account.

Brown joins defensive coordinator [autotag]Austin Armstrong[/autotag] as the two new newest members of staff after the departure of a few key coaches.

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Crimson Tide LB coach leaving for Florida Gators DC job

Crimson Tide LB coach on the move after one month in Tuscaloosa

After arriving in Tuscaloosa just a little over a month ago, Alabama Crimson Tide linebackers coach, Austin Armstrong, is back on the move. Armstrong will be joining the Florida Gators as their defensive coordinator after their former coordinator, Patrick Toney, left for the NFL and will be joining the Arizona Cardinals staff.

Armstrong will be the youngest defensive coordinator at the Power Five level and will have plenty of room to improve the Gators’ defense. In 2022, Toney’s lone year in Gainesville, the Gators finished No. 97 in total defense out of 130 eligible teams.

Alabama still has Kevin Steele to lead the defense, but a lot of people surrounding the Alabama program were excited about Armstrong’s future in Tuscaloosa. Armstrong had spent some time in Athens with Kirby Smart as a quality control coach and is one of the bright young minds in football.

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