Jim McElwain had an opening for a defensive backs coach for about 24 hours.
One day after losing well-regarded defensive backs coach and recruiting rainmaker Travaris Robinson to Auburn, Florida has reportedly poached Kirk Callahan away from Central Florida. The news was first reported by Derek Tyson of ESPN and then confirmed by FootballScoop and Sports Illustrated.
A third-year member of George O’Leary‘s staff this fall, Callahan helped the AAC co-champion Knights rank 22nd in passing defense, 12th in pass efficiency defense, tied for fourth in yards per attempt allowed and tied for 10th in interceptions this fall. Cornerback Jacoby Glenn was named the program’s first AP First Team All-American this fall and earned AAC Co-Defensive Player of the Year honors, while fellow defensive backfield mates Clayton Geathers and Brandon Alexander also earned All-AAC nods.
He was named a FootballScoop Defensive Backs Coach of the Year finalist for his efforts.
Like the man he is replacing, Callahan is thought of as an effective recruiter in the state of Florida. Which, you know, is important for a football coach at the University of Florida.Kirk Callahan has some incredible connections in the Tampa area. Should definitely help the #Gators with Byron Cowart.
— Derek Tyson (@DerekTysonESPN) January 4, 2015A former UCF player, Callahan broke into coaching as a student assistant with the Knights in 2007. He spent the 2008-09 seasons as a graduate assistant at North Carolina, and then worked in Gainesville under Urban Meyer and Will Muschamp as a GA in 2010-11.