After Florida and its two defensive coaches split early in the off-season of 2021, one of those two assistants found work with one of the Gators’ East SEC rivals.
Former UF cornerback coach Torrian Gray reportedly joined the South Carolina Gamecocks coaching staff, led by new coach Shane Beamer, according for Chris Vannini’s The Athletic. Gray, 46, has spent the past two seasons with the Gators under coach Dan Mullen, as well as a one-year stint in 2016 with former UF coach Jim McElwain.
Gray will serve as defense technician for Gamecocks, for Vannini.
Florida hired former Auburn defender technician Wesley McGriff on Saturday. The university has not confirmed whether he will train a position or the entire secondary.
Gray played with Beamer at Virginia Tech from 1995-96, under coach Frank Beamer, Shane’s father. The two trained together on the Hokies team with Frank from 2011-15. Gray spent 11 years on the Virginia Tech team before his first job with the Gators.
Florida had the largest pass defense in the country in 2020, allowing 257.5 passing yards per game. It can be argued that the cornerback room performed better than the security guards and the nickel STAR cornerback, however, positions that were trained by Ron English and not by Gray.
Notably, cornerback Kaiir Elam was nominated for the First All-SEC Coaches Team, guaranteeing two interceptions and 11 passes saved under Gray’s guidance.
Gray also served as an ace recruiter for Florida during his short second stint with the Gators, and has strong ties to the South Florida area, which is expected to positively impact the Gamecocks and may return to bite the Gators. Gray was the main recruiter for five-star consensus 2021 cornerback Jason Marshall Jr.
McGriff is a proven SEC coach and there is room to add another defensive coach to the Florida team, but Gray’s work with the Gamecocks may be worth monitoring in advance, at least on the trail.