The Athletic identified 25 rising coaches to know before the 2026 season, including Florida linebackers coach Greg Gasparato.
Chris Vannini's goal with the list is to identify coaches who could move into bigger roles next season, whether as head coaches or coordinators. He hit the nail on the head last year, naming Jon Sumrall and Buster Faulkner among the coaches to watch. Both ultimately landed at Florida.
"Gasparato was Sumrall’s defensive coordinator at Troy and Tulane," Vannini wrote. "He received Power 4 coordinator interest this past cycle but followed Sumrall to Florida to coach linebackers. A P4 coordinator job could be in his future soon."
Gasparato joined Sumrall at Troy as defensive coordinator in 2023 and later served as interim head
coach before following him to Tulane. He helped the Trojans set program and Sun Belt single-season records with 47 sacks.
At Tulane, Gasparato built up his reputation as one of Sumrall’s most trusted defensive assistants. His defenses were known for creating pressure and limiting explosive plays, and that production helped generate Power Four coordinator interest before he ultimately chose to follow Sumrall to Gainesville.
Now back in a position-coach role at Florida, Gasparato has another chance to raise his profile on an SEC stage.
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida assistant Greg Gasparato named rising coach to watch
