Roy Garris, Jr. joins the Gators after spending one season as the running backs coach at Chadron State College, a Division II institution in Chadron, Nebraska. With the Eagles, Garris helped senior Jalen Starks earn All-Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) Honorable Mention accolades last fall, as Starks ranked among the top rushers in the conference with 637 yards and 11 touchdowns. As a team, Chadron State amassed more than 1,500 yards on the ground with an average of 140 yards per game in 2022. In the fall of 2021, Garris served as wide receivers and strength and conditioning coach at St. Andrews University, an NAIA program in Laurinburg, North Carolina, where he helped senior receiver Kashard Cohens earn Mid-South All-Conference Second Team honors.
A 2020 graduate of Saint Augustine's University in Raleigh, North Carolina, Garris was a defensive back for the Falcons during his playing career. He compiled 116 tackles and two interceptions in 23 career games at Saint Augustine's, a Division II member of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association. Despite missing multiple games due to injury in 2018, Garris was still crowned an All-CIAA Honorable Mention. Prior to his senior season, he was nominated to the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Good Works Team in recognition of his community service efforts.
Originally from Raleigh, North Carolina, Garris graduated from Saint Augustine's with a degree in communications.
