Austin Armstrong’s stint on Alabama’s coaching staff will ending up being less than two months. The newly hired linebackers coach is leaving to join Florida as its new defensive coordinator, according Matt Zenitz of On3 Sports. Both ESPN and The Athletic confirmed the report.
The report came shortly before Gators coach Billy Napier confirmed that the team’s former DC, Patrick Toney, is leaving to join the NFL ranks with the Cardinals. Armstrong served as the DC for Southern Mississippi for the past two seasons and last year his unit ranked third in tackles for loss, fifth in sacks and seventh in interceptions in the country.
In January, he accepted the offer to join Saban’s staff, but now he’s jumping ship to the SEC East where he will be the youngest DC among Power 5 teams at age 29.
Florida finished 2022 with a 6–7 record and ranked 97th in the country in total defense.
