Gators add secondary coach; coaching changes finalized

GAINESVILLE -- Florida coach Urban Meyer finalized his staff today with the hiring of Vance Bedford, a longtime defensive backs coach.

Bedford, who coached at Michigan in 2007, will coach cornerbacks for Florida, replacing former assistant Doc Holliday, who left Florida for West Virginia. Bedford, a Texas native, coached with Meyer at Colorado State.

"I am excited to be working with Coach Meyer again," Bedford said. "I'm eager to get to Gainesville and work with a championship program."

Bedford recently ended his second stint at Michigan. He also coached the Wolverines' secondary from 1995-1998, a stretch that included instructing Heisman winner Charles Woodson. Bedford has also served as a defensive coordinator at Oklahoma State and a defensive backs coach for the Chicago Bears.

"[Vance] has coached at all levels, from high school to the NFL, and has a proven ability to work with and develop some of the top defensive backs in the nation," Meyer said. "Vance will be a great addition to our coaching staff."

Bedford caused a stir while in Oklahoma State when he referred to fair-weather fans as roaches. Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy later fired Bedford.

VANCE BEDFORD FILE
Feb. 2008 -         Florida (Cornerbacks)
2007                    Michigan (Secondary)
2005-2006          Oklahoma State (Defensive Coordinator)
1999-2004          Chicago Bears (Defensive Backs)
1995-1998          Michigan (Secondary)
1993-1994          Oklahoma State (Defensive Backs)
1987-1992          Colorado State (Defensive Backs)
1986                    Navarro Junior College
1985                    Forest Brook High School, Houston, Texas 

Personal Information
Birthdate: August 20, 1958
Hometown: Houston, Texas
Education: Texas (1983)
Marital Status: Married to the former Margaret Bulloch.

LIST OF NEW COACHING ASSIGNMENTS
Steve Addazio - Assistant Head Coach, Offense/Offensive Line 
Vance Bedford - Cornerbacks
Kenny Carter - Running Backs
Billy Gonzales - Recruiting Coordinator/Wide Receivers 
Chuck Heater - Assistant Defensive Coordinator/Safeties 
John Hevesy - Tight Ends/Assistant Offensive Line 
Dan McCarney - Assistant Head Coach, Defense/Defensive Line 
Dan Mullen - Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
Charlie Strong – Defensive Coordinator, Associate Head
Coach/Linebackers 

-jo-

Comments

[NFGator]

Great? Bring a coach in from the Big10?? And didn't Michigans 'D' suck last year?

[UM Graduate]

Let me say this so gator fans can understand.

HERE COME THE PAIN FROM THE CANES! Just show up chickens.