Florida makes Carter's hiring official
The University of Florida announced the hiring of Vanderbilt assistant football coach Kenny Carter on Thursday.
Carter, who coached running backs at VU, will handle the same role with the Gators.
“When you have one of the best programs in the country showing interest in you and wanting you to be part of their program, you’re obviously very flattered,” he told The City Paper.
Carter, who doubled as Vanderbilt's recruiting coordinator, joined the Commodore staff in 2004. He had previously coached receivers at Penn State (2001-2003), coached running backs at Pittsburgh (2000) and coached outside linebackers at LSU (1999).
A 1990 graduate of The Citadel, Carter coached at his alma mater from 1994-1996. He was an assistant at Furman in 1993, the year Vanderbilt head coach Bobby Johnson was named the Paladins' head coach.
At Florida, Carter will replace Stan Drayton, who recently left for a similar position at Tennessee
“The people at Vanderbilt are tremendous and it’s a terrific place,” Carter said. “Football was fun and it was fun to come to work. I’ve had tremendous opportunities every year to leave, but you don’t leave a place like Vanderbilt just to take another job. But Florida is Florida.”
Carter’s final day at Vanderbilt is Friday. He reports to work at Florida on Monday.
“I’m pleased to have Kenny join our staff,” Gators coach Urban Meyer said. “He has coached at two schools in the SEC and has a great understanding of what it takes to be successful in this league.”
It’s unknown how Vanderbilt plans to replace Carter. Commodores coach Bobby Johnson was out of town Thursday and unavailable for comment.
Vanderbilt opens spring practice March 11.
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