A newly hired Florida coach took a shot at the ACC program he left after a decent season in 2025. It's good news for the Gators.
Following a 4-8 season in 2025, the Florida Gators needed a massive overhaul.
The Gators are searching for their first-ever trip to the College Football Playoff. UF has not competed for a national championship since 2008, when Urban Meyer was in Gainesville.
Florida was tied to Lane Kiffin almost immediately after Billy Napier was fired. However, Kiffin had his eyes set on LSU, even as he was putting Ole Miss in the CFP.
The Gators were able to land another coach who proved capable of getting to the CFP. Jon Sumrall agreed to become the head coach of Florida as Tulane prepared to play the Rebels in the CFP.
Sumrall is known as a defensive coach, so Buster Faulkner was a key hire to become the next offensive coordinator for Florida. He left Georgia Tech amid a 9-4 season in 2025.
During a recent appearance on "Gator Tales" with host Sean Kelly, Faulkner explained why he left the Yellow Jackets for UF.
Faulkner said that he wanted an opportunity to compete for a national title, suggesting he didn't think Key and GT were capable of doing much more than they did in 2025.
"I wanted to be somewhere and work with someone who was defensive-minded," Faulkner said, via a transcription from FanSided. "That was an attraction for me. (Jon Sumrall) is a proven winner.
"What he did at Troy in a short amount of time, then went over to Tulane and continued the winning, is something I'm attracted to. I want to be a part of a winning program. I want to have a chance to play for national championships."
Florida should give Faulkner an easier opportunity to compete for the national championship. Georgia Tech's last claimed national title came in 1990.
During the 2025 season, head coach Brent Key said his goal was to elevate the Yellow Jackets to a championship program, but it could take some time.
"So that in turn we can continue three years from now, five years from now, 10 years from now, continue to elevate this place to be in that conversation," Key said. "Not to be in there for two or three weeks, but to be a consistent team."
Georgia Tech will have to do it without the offensive mind of Faulkner. Key will have to get others to believe in the program.