Sources: UF co-DC Toney joining NFL’s Cardinals
Florida co-defensive planner Patrick Toney is leaving for the Arizona Cardinals after just one season and being replaced by just recently hired Alabama assistant Austin Armstrong, sources informed ESPN.Toney, who called the Gators ‘protective plays last season, accepted a defensive secondary coaching position with the Cardinals. Toney, 32, came to Florida with Billy Napier from Louisiana, where they worked together for four seasons. Toney likewise coached safeties at both Florida and Louisiana and coached outside linebackers for one season at Louisiana.Toney isn’t the only assistant leaving Florida. Sources told ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg
that tight ends coach William Peagler is likewise signing up with the Cardinals’personnel in a defensive role.Napier is turning to a familiar face to change Toney. Armstrong worked under Napier 2 different times
at Louisiana. Armstrong was the Ragin ‘Cajuns ‘inside linebackers coach in 2020 when they ended up 10-1. He functioned as a protective graduate assistant under Napier in 2018. Armstrong also dealt with Kirby Smart’s 2019 Georgia personnel as a defensive quality assurance coach and worked carefully with current Oregon coach Dan Lanning.Armstrong, 29, joined Alabama’s staff last month as within linebackers coach and wasn’t officially announced as a member of the Crimson
Tide staff till Feb. 13. He was formerly the defensive organizer at Southern Miss for two seasons in 2021-22 and was the youngest FBS protective coordinator at the time. Southern Miss connected for 4th nationally last season with 44 sacks.The Gators completed 6-7 in Napier’s very first season. They ranked 11th in the SEC in scoring defense (28.8 points per game)and 12th in total defense(411 backyards per
game ). Florida permitted 30 or more points in 6 of its seven losses.Southern Miss ‘very first defense under Armstrong in 2021 was among the most enhanced units in college football. The Eagles finished second nationally in first downs allowed (197)and 6th in red-zone defense
(70.2%).