Florida head coach Jon Sumrall is adding Georgia Tech wide receivers coach Trent McKnight to his staff in Gainesville, according to Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports. The Gators previously hired Marcus Davis as the receivers coach; McKnight will serve as Florida’s inside receivers coach, working with the slot receivers instead of the wideouts.
McKnight spent the last two seasons working with the Yellow Jackets under Buster Faulkner, Florida’s new offensive coordinator. In McKnight’s first season with Georgia Tech, he helped develop a pair of All-ACC receivers in Malike Rutherford and Eric Singleton Jr. The latter transferred to Auburn ahead of the 2025 campaign and posted 534 receiving yards and three touchdowns on 58 receptions in the SEC. Rutherford had the most receptions (62) for Georgia Tech since Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson hauled in 76 in 2006.
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In 2025, Georgia Tech ranked No. 28 nationally in passing offense. Reuniting Faulkner and McKnight in the SEC bodes well for Florida’s passing offense, even with a max exodus of players from the receivers’ room. McKnight’s addition comes shortly after the retention of Vernell Brown III, who should work with him directly.
Trent McKnight Coaching History
Before joining Georgia Tech, McKnight spent seven years with Georgia State. He served as the offensive coordinator there for two seasons, following five as the Panthers’ wide receiver coach. Over that span, McKnight coached nine All-Sun Belt wide receivers and three of the top five wideouts in program history, including NFL veteran Penny Hart and 2024 NFL draft pick Jamari Thrash.
McKnight started his position coaching career in 2011 at Georgia Military College, working with the receivers. Prior to that, he was a recruiting intern at Alabama (2007-08), an assistant coach for Oak Mountain High in Alabama (2008) and a student assistant at his alma mater, Samford. McKnight played safety for the Bulldogs in 2006 and 2007, earning a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 2010.
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After his one season with Georgia Military College, McKnight returned to Samford as the tight ends/inside receivers coach. He was promoted to pass game coordinator and wide receivers coach in 2014. McKnight spent 2015-16 as Samford’s run game coordinator and tight ends coach. He developed four All-Southern Conference players over those five seasons, including the program record holder for receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns, Karel Hamilton, who spent some time with NFL teams.
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2007-08 |
Alabama |
Recruiting intern |
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2008 |
Oak Mountain (Ala.) H.S. |
Assistant coach |
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2009-10 |
Samford |
Student assistant |
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2011 |
Georgia Military College |
Wide receivers |
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2012-13 |
Samford |
Tight ends/inside receivers |
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2014 |
Samford |
Pass game coordinator/wide receivers |
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2015-16 |
Samford |
Run game coordinator/tight ends |
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2017-21 |
Georgia State |
Wide receivers |
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2022-23 |
Georgia State |
Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks |
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2024-2025 |
Georgia Tech |
Wide receivers |
Jon Sumrall’s staff at Florida
Front office
Offense
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Inside Receivers coach: Trent McKnight
Defense
Special Teams/Strength and Conditioning
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Special teams coordinator: Jonathan Galante
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida Gators football hire Trent McKnight as inside receivers coach
