Miami's Mario Cristobal reportedly poaching DB coach away from Florida Gators

Miami will hire former Los Angeles Chargers and current Florida assistant coach Will Harris for a defensive backs position per Blake Alderman, Gaby Urrutia and Matt Zenitz of On3.

Nov 2, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive back OJ Frederique Jr. (29) plays his position against the Duke Blue Devils during the fourth quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Nov 2, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive back OJ Frederique Jr. (29) plays his position against the Duke Blue Devils during the fourth quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Blake Alderman, Gaby Urrutia and Matt Zenitz of 247Sports reported on Thursday night the Miami Hurricanes are expected to hire Florida secondary coach Will Harris for a defensive backs role. Miami previously hired Zac Etheridge from Houston as their cornerbacks coach.

Harris began his coaching career at Northwestern Oklahoma State as the defensive backs coach. After a season each at Humboldt State in California and Dixie College (now Utah Tech), Harris was hired by Brent Brennan as the secondary coach at San Jose State in 2016, spending two seasons with the team.

Harris left San Jose State for Washington in 2018 where he remained through 2021. In 2022, Harris became the Georgia Southern defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach. Harris was the Los Angeles Chargers assistant secondary coach for the 2023 season.

Harris is an elite recruiter, who finished 17th nationally and 12th in the SEC among recruiters in 2025 and is ninth in the SEC for the 2026 class. The 247Sports profile for Harris credits him for being the primary recruiter for five blue-chip signees in the 2025 Florida class.

Florida DB coach Will Harris will be joining the Miami Hurricanes

Harris was the primary recruiter for Florida signing four-star CBs Ben Hanks and Jaelan Waters, safeties Lagonza Hayward and flipping Hylton Stubbs from Miami and wide receiver Dallas Wilson, who was previously committed to Oregon. Florida signed the eighth-ranked 2025 class.

Harris will have the opportunity to work with an elite Miami group of incoming freshmen and transfer defensive backs. Miami signed five of the Top 14 2025 transfer DBs and has four blue-chip DBs in their 2025 high school class. The Miami secondary should be greatly improved in 2025.

Miami also has a commitment from four-star CB Camdin Portis in the 2026 class. Expect Etheridge and Harris to continue to build on the players Miami signed in the 2025 class and secure a blue-chip group of defensive backs for 2026.

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