The Florida Gators hired three defensive assistant coaches in the offseason including Washington LB coach Robert Bala. Florida defensive coordinator and play caller Ron Roberts played a large role in Bala’s hiring as the two have a history together, despite never working on the same staff.
“Coach Roberts was a big part of it,” Bala said on coming to UF. “A lot of football that I’ve gathered, knowledge wise, has been from him and his tree, and we’ve talked quite a bit over the years. The opportunity came up and I ran to it. Obviously coach Napier, a lot of people in my circle have coached for him, and everybody’s told great things about it, guys that I truly trust, so I knew it was going to be the best decision I could make.