Please Read: Welcome to the new-look Inside the Gators
- 10 Questions: TJ Shanahan Jr.
- Florida Football Class Breakdown
- Impact Analysis: Baugh is back
- Getting to Know: Davian Groce
- Tulane player goes in-depth on Sumrall
This week, Florida officially announced the additions of former football players Phil Trautwein and Bam Hardmon to Jon Sumrall’s initial Gators’ coaching staff. While Florida Sports Information provided a bio and a quote from the head coach on the duo, Inside the Gators went back and asked some former Florida Gators players who suited up alongside them to share their thoughts.
Bam Hardmon
Hardmon returns to Gainesville after spending the last two seasons as the run game coordinator and outside linebackers coach at Tulane from 2024-25. Prior to Tulane, Hardmon worked nine years at Troy, where he was a 2018 Broyles Award nominee and a 2020 finalist for Football Scoop’s Linebackers Coach of the Year. At Troy, Hardmon worked for five years coaching Troy’s outside linebackers and serving as the defensive run game coordinator following four years coaching the inside linebackers and bandits.
“Bringing Coach Hardmon back to Florida was a no-brainer,” Sumrall said. “Not only is he a former Gator standout, but he’s a great coach and better person. He has proven throughout his career that he can coach, develop and produce results. I can’t think of a better person to oversee our outside linebackers.”
The Green Wave earned a berth to the College Football Playoff in 2025 after capturing the American Athletic Conference (AAC) title. From 2022-25, Hardmon’s teams at Tulane and Troy made four-consecutive conference championship games, winning one AAC and two Sun Belt crowns.
“I couldn’t be more excited about being back with Gator Nation, where I first started as a player,” Hardmon said. “Gainesville is a special place for me and my family. Coach Sumrall gave me a great opportunity to join the staff and I can’t wait to hear The Swamp on game day.”
“All you need to know is that not too many people wanted to wear that 42 after the Freak [Jevon Kearse] left, but Angry Man walked into that shadow. That’s who he is. That’s my MLB, and I’d go to war with my classmate any day of the week.“
former florida cornerback keiwan ratliff
“Coach Bam is an enforcer. When I first got to Florida in 2002, I believe it was his junior year, he was the leader of the team, especially the defense. He was the guy that made sure everyone understood that no one was bigger than the logo.“
Former Florida Defensive Lineman Steven Harris
“Bam was just a tough, no nonsense guy, who was always the leader in the room. He always had a high football IQ and was hungry to learn. He wasn’t a super loud guy, but led by example. First there, the last to leave, type that would always want to watch more tape. I couldn’t be happier for him!“
former florida linebackers coach Jerry odom
Phil Trautwein
Trautwein joins the Gators after serving as the offensive line coach at Penn State for the last six seasons. Over that time, the Nittany Lions are tied for second nationally with seven offensive linemen selected in the NFL Draft. In his career, Trautwein has seen 10 players get selected in the NFL Draft, including three first-round picks. Additionally, over the last seven seasons at Penn State and Boston College, he has mentored 35 all-conference offensive linemen.
“Coach Trautwein is as good of an offensive line coach as there is in the country,” Sumrall said. “Add the fact that he’s a two-time national champion, All-SEC honoree, and team captain here at Florida, having him join our staff was a no-brainer. Coach Trautwein is an elite teacher of the game and produces NFL draft picks, All-Americans and all-conference performers at an extremely high rate.”
Prior to his coaching career, Trautwein was a four-year letterman for the Gators from 2004-08. He played an integral part in the program winning both the BCS National Championships and SEC titles in 2006 and 2008. Trautwein was a two-time All-SEC selection and two-time team captain as a left tackle at Florida, earning first-team honors in 2008 and second-team accolades in 2006.
“I couldn’t be happier to be back home at the University of Florida,” Trautwein said. “I’m grateful to Coach Sumrall and Coach Faulkner for the opportunity to win championships at the best university in the country. Let’s get to work! Go Gators!”
“Phil is a legit offensive lineman though. You know, when he came in, he was goofy man. He didn’t seem so tough, but once he put them paws on you and started understanding the game, it was over man. The dude was strong as hell.“
Former Florida Defensive Lineman Joe Cohen
“Coach Phil is the definition of hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard! Coach is a quiet assassin! One of those guys that you will never outwork even on your best day! As a young player, you have to imagine he faced some of the best defensive linemen that college football had to offer with Jarvis Moss, Jermaine Cunningham, Jeremy Mincey, Carlos Dunlap, Ray MacDonald, and even me at times when I lined up at defensive end! Although on most days, with him being young at the time, we would kick his behind, but never once did he complain and never once did he give up on a rep all of that, turned him into a beast by the time it was his junior and senior season! Was always one of the hardest working lineman on the field every day.“
Former Florida Defensive Lineman Steven Harris
“I have nothing but great things to say about Trautwein. I remember he came in looking like a basketball player, but he worked extremely hard and he was as smart as Mike Degory. Trautwein was a really good player. What I remember most, the first though to come to mind, is Trautwein coming in and killed the 300 shuttle test he was really fast for an offensive lineman.“
Former Florida Defensive Lineman JUlian riley
“He’s a great energy guy! Extremely intelligent. He worked his tail off. If he puts half the attention to detail and effort in now as he did as a player, we’re in great hands. I love it!”
former florida fullback eric rutledge
“He’s just plain and simple a class act. A true friend who will drop what he’s doing to give you a helping hand. This maybe an embarrassing story about him, but on his recruiting trip, he put on the Gator helmet at dinner and ate dinner with the helmet on. He and Jim Tartt had a promise to each other that if we won the National Championship they would get it tattooed. They both went through with the promise.“
Former Florida Defensive Lineman Javiar Estopinan
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