Gonzales is leaving for arch-rival LSU Tim Casey/Gator Country
Florida receivers coach and recruiting coordinator Billy Gonzales said he is “NOT going” to Louisville in a text message on Wednesday. But he didn’t say anything about LSU.
A source confirmed Friday morning that Gonzales, who played under Urban Meyer at Colorado State in the early 90s and has coached with him the last eight years, is leaving his mentor to become the “passing game coordinator” at arch-rival LSU.
Despite their long-standing relationship, some friction was created last year when Meyer tabbed offensive line coach Steve Addazio as offensive coordinator over Gonzales.
The loss of Gonzales, combined with the loss of Charlie Strong to Louisville, could prove disastrous to the Gators’ recruiting efforts. Gonzales was the Gators’ recruiting coordinator, was responsible for the crucial South Florida area and had a hand in recruiting all of the Gators’ offensive skill players. Strong was one of the best closers on the defensive side of the ball, helping land players such as Reggie Nelson, Brandon Spikes and Jon Bostic.
To replace Gonzales, a source said to expect the Gators to hire Zach Azzanni, an up-and-coming receivers coach at Central Michigan.
Gonzales’ abrupt departure is just one news item surrounding the Gators.
Some others:
– Chris Low of ESPN.com reports that Meyer has already met with Ole Miss defensive coordinator Tyrone Nix about filling the same role at Florida.
– As has been written here and in other spaces, cornerbacks coach Vance Bedford and running backs coach Kenny Carter are candidates to join Strong’s staff at Louisville.
– Despite the coaching transition, the Gators picked up a verbal commitment yesterday. Four-star cornerback Cody Riggs from St. Thomas Aquinas became the Gators’ 19th commitment for 2010, and their eighth defensive back.
– The Gators went 2-for-7 at the Home Depot ESPN College Football Awards Show last night in Disney World. Aaron Hernandez won the John Mackey Award for best tight end and Maurkice Pouncey won the Rimington Trophy for most outstanding center. Neither were present at the ceremony.
But otherwise the Gators were shut out on Thursday. Tim Tebow lost out to Colt McCoy for both the Davey O’Brien quarterback award and Maxwell Award for best all-around player. Linebacker Brandon Spikes lost out to Ndamukong Suh for the Bednarik Award for best defensive player.
Cornerback Joe Haden lost out to Eric Berry for the Jim Thorpe Award for best defensive back, and punter Chas Henry lost out to Georgia’s Drew Butler for the Ray Guy Award for the best punter.
The full list of last night’s winners can be found here.
