Scott joins the Gators after spending the past two seasons in Knoxville.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida football head coach Dan Mullen has announced the hire of Larry Scott as the Gators Tight Ends coach. The native of Sebring, Fla. native has spent a majority of his coaching career in the state of Florida where he attended (1997-99) and coached (2006-12) at USF as well as Miami (2013-15).
Scott joins the Gators following a two-year stint in Knoxville where he served as the Vols’ special teams coordinator and tight ends coach in 2016 and their offensive coordinator and tight ends coach in 2017.
“We are excited to have someone of Coach’s Scott’s coaching experience and background in the state of Florida,” Coach Mullen said. “Larry will do a great job coaching our tight ends, which is one of the most important positions on our staff based on how we utilize that position and the flexibility they have within our offense.”
A graduate from the University of South Florida in 2000, Scott played offensive lineman for the Bulls. After four seasons of high school coaching experience, Scott joined the USF staff in 2005 as Director of High School Relations. During his time at USF, Scott coached the offensive line, tight ends and running backs as well as serving as a lead recruiter.
Scott helped lead the Bulls to their best recruiting class in program history in 2008 only to surpass that class with the nation’s No. 21 ranked class in 2009.
During his time in Coral Gables, Scott served as the Hurricanes’ tight ends coach for two-plus seasons (2013-15) prior to being named their interim head coach for the final six games of 2015. As Miami’s interim coach Scott, led the Hurricanes to a 4-2 mark and a berth in the Sun Bowl.
Scott and his wife, Shakiera, have three children, with two sons, Larry, Jalen, and one daughter, Jurnee.
Tennessee (2016-17)
Scott helped Ethan Wolf cap his career in 2017 as one of the greatest tight ends in Rocky Top history. Wolf ranked No. 2 among UT tight ends in career receptions (91) and No. 3 in receiving yards (998) and led the Vols with 47 starts.
Tennessee’s offense in 2017 saw running back John Kelly (778 rush yards, 37 catches) join Penn State’s Saquon Barkley (1,271 rush yards, 54 catches) as the only two players in the Power 5 to lead their teams in rushing and receptions.
In 2016, Tennessee averaged 24.9 yards on 42 kickoff returns and 11.1 yards on 33 punt returns while punter Trevor Daniel averaged 44.6 yards per punt and kicker Aaron Medley scored 94 points (11 field goals, 61 extra points) while booting a personal-best 45 touchbacks on kickoffs.
UT’s tight ends combined for 45 receptions, 499 yards and two touchdowns in 2016 and helped pave the way for 2,668 rushing yards (5.2-yard average). Scott tutored fifth-year senior Jason Croom, who made the transition from wide receiver to tight end in 2016, to 21 catches for 242 yards on the season.
Miami (2013-15)
Scott spent two-plus seasons as the Hurricanes’ tight ends coach prior to being named their interim head coach for the final six games of 2015. As Miami’s interim head coach Scott, led the Hurricanes to a 4-2 mark and a berth in the Sun Bowl.
In 2014, Scott oversaw a tight end unit that combined for 52 receptions and 833 yards receiving. He also mentored Clive Walford, who had a breakout 2014 campaign where he led the team in receptions with 44.
Under Scott’s watchful eye, Walford earned third team All-America and second team All-ACC honors.
Following the year, Walford was selected in the third round of the NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders.
USF (2005-12)
Prior to coming to Coral Gables, Scott spent the previous eight seasons at USF, beginning in 2005 as the director of high school relations. In 2006, he moved to a graduate assistant role before coaching tight ends in 2007-08 and again in 2010-11. Between tight end coaching stints, he coached the offensive line in 2009. In 2012, he coached the running backs and became an offensive assistant.
During his second stint as the Bulls’ TE coach, Scott and his group helped USF to its fifth-straight eight-win season, making it one of only 15 programs nationally and one of just 10 in BCS leagues to accomplish the feat.