Dec. 4, 2025, 6:47 p.m. ET
Florida football is closing in on a key addition to Jon Sumrall’s coaching staff, as the Gators are expected to hire Georgia Tech offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner, according to multiple reports.
Faulkner’s hiring marks the latest addition to the new-look Florida Gators coaching staff.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel noted that Georgia Tech officials were prepared to match Florida’s offer — a deal that would have made Faulkner one of the highest-paid coordinators in the ACC — but Faulkner has chosen Gainesville.
Faulkner brings two decades of offensive experience and a strong track record. Before Georgia Tech, he spent three seasons with the Georgia Bulldogs as their offensive quality control coach, where he contributed to back-to-back national championship teams.
He has spent 13 seasons as an offensive coordinator at programs including Middle Tennessee, Arkansas State, Southern Miss, Murray State and Valdosta State.
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With the Yellow Jackets, Faulkner’s offense ranked in the top half of the ACC in rushing, scoring and total offense in both 2023 and 2024. They also allowed the fewest sacks in the ACC for two straight years.
During 2025, Georgia Tech was the ACC’s second-ranked team in total and rushing offense, first in average yards per play and fifth in scoring.
Hiring Faulkner gives Sumrall a veteran play caller who has operated in nearly every offensive structure imaginable. His offenses traditionally blend tempo, a downhill run game and quarterback-friendly passing concepts.
It also signals that Florida is willing to invest aggressively in rebuilding the program’s offensive identity after years of inconsistency.
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