Update: Gators LB Coach Christian Robinson Intends to Stay, Situation Fluid

The Florida Gators are set to lose yet another defensive coach this offseason in LB coach Christian Robinson.

UPDATE (1/17): Today, sources informed Sports Illustrated - AllGators that while Robinson was poised to accept a job at Michigan, he has since informed players that he now intends to stay at Florida, but the situation remains fluid.

I can also add to @Corey_Bender’s reporting that Robinson has told numerous players of his intentions to now stay at Florida.

— Zach Goodall (@zach_goodall) January 17, 2021

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Florida Gators linebackers coach Christian Robinson is heading to Ann Arbor to take a spot on the defensive staff at Michigan, a source confirmed multiple reports to Sports Illustrated - AllGators.

Can confirm that Florida LB coach Christian Robinson will join the Michigan coaching staff, in addition to others reporting.

— Zach Goodall (@zach_goodall) January 15, 2021

As of now, it is unclear what exact position Robinson will take on in Ann Arbor.

Former Baltimore Ravens LB coach Mike MacDonald recently accepted a job at Michigan as the defensive coordinator, who also has ties to Robinson and current Gators DC Todd Grantham, dating back to his time at the University of Georgia.

Linebacker has been an area where the Gators have struggled as of late, especially since David Reese II and Vosean Joseph left for the NFL. 

Since Reese and Joseph left, the Gators were left with athletic players such as Ventrell Miller, James Houston, Lacedrick Brunson, Amari Burney, and newly transformed inside linebacker Mohamoud Diabate. In 2020, the unit was not too productive, though Miller quickly became the leader of the pack, setting an example for those behind him.

Looking ahead, the new hire must have plenty of experience with player development to get the most out of the unit, and given how active the Gators have been on the transfer portal, that could be an option too.

Moving forward, Florida will now have two defensive on-the-field coach openings after each Torrian Gray, Ron English, and Christian Robinson have all left or been let go by the Gators. Florida quickly filled one staff vacancy with Wesley McGriff, a defensive backs coach from Auburn, whose role has not been defined at Florida quite yet. 

Despite the near house clearing on defense, Florida opted to not get rid of Grantham and instead retool the staff around him running the defense.