Florida to make Russ Callaway ‘offensive coordinator,’ but what does that mean under Billy Napier?

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Image Credit: Alex de la Osa / UAA

The Florida Gators have hired an offensive coordinator. Well, Florida head coach Billy Napier has promoted a current co-offensive coordinator to the role of offensive coordinator as Russ Callaway is due for another title change ahead of the 2025 season, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

Confusion exists as to what “offensive coordinator” means under Napier and why Callaway is reportedly having the “co” portion of his title removed.

Napier was forced to overhaul his defensive staff for the third straight offseason, yet for the second year in a row, his lone change on the offensive side of the ball has been adjusting the role of Callaway, who started with the team as a defensive intern in 2022 before becoming tight ends coach in 2023 and adding a co-offensive coordinator title in 2024.

This despite everyone attached to the Gators — analysts national and local, fans, people of prominence around the University Athletic Association — understanding Florida’s offense has badly been in need of a new offensive play caller throughout Napier’s tenure.

So what exactly does Callaway’s promotion mean? Let’s investigate.

Will the Gators have a new offensive play caller in 2025?

No. Despite Callaway being promoted, Thamel clarified that Napier will remain the play caller. This jives with what Napier previously told 247Sports: He will not give up play calling because he believes it is why he’s had a successful coaching career.

“It’s what got me here,” Napier said earlier this month. “It’s how I became the head coach. It’s what’s helped us make progress and win in the past. I’m confident it will help us do that in the future.”

Rob Sale joined Napier in Year 1 with the titles of offensive coordinator and offensive line coach. Callaway added the co-offensive coordinator position ahead of the 2024 season with Napier claiming the trio were responsible for the offensive game plans, though he refused to address who called the plays last season.

Therefore, what exactly this position change means for Callaway the the Gators offense is a massive question mark. If he’s not calling the plays, how has his role been adjusted? Will he be running more meetings? Fattening up the playbook with Air Raid concepts? Why will he be paid an offensive coordinator salary to not serve the primary function of a coordinator?

Beyond that, for what reason has a guy who never had a full-time, on-field assistant job at the Power Four or NFL level before 2023 been promoted four times in as many offseasons?

Does Callaway even have play-calling experience?

Actually, yes. Callaway previously spent five seasons at Samford where he served as offensive coordinator (2017-19) while helming one of the best offenses in the FCS. For example, in 2018, Samford ranked fourth among subdivision teams in total offense, first in passing offense and eighth in red-zone offense. Callaway then gained experience at higher levels of the sport, working as an offensive assistant at LSU (2020) and the New York Giants (2021) before joining the Gators.

Is Florida’s offense actually in need of a new play caller?

You have probably been able to judge that for yourself with your eyes while watching the product the Gators have put on the field the last three seasons. Here’s some data to back it up. Out of 133 teams, Florida in 2024 ranked 64th in scoring offense, 66th in total offense, 67th in rushing offense, 69th in passing offense, 50th in red-zone offense and 92nd in third-down conversions. All similar numbers to where it stood the year prior.

The Gators were more successful and consistent moving down the field as the season progressed, but untimely play calls, mind-numbing decisions on third down and inconsistency with the unit on a week-to-week basis were continued indications that the program needs a change.

Many prominent play calling head coaches have ultimately realized that retaining that responsibility on game days drastically affects their ability to manage their entire team and make important decisions in key situations. Ohio State’s Ryan Day, despite all his offensive success, hired Bill O’Brien and then Chip Kelly — the latter an incumbent head coach at UCLA — to handle his offense. The Buckeyes got over the hump and won the national championship last season. Offensively talented coaches Eli Drinkwitz of Missouri and Gus Malzahn of UCF made similar decisions only to see their units improve. They are hardly the only ones who have come to this realization.

Napier believes he is the answer.