Carlos Dunlap gives his support to Gerald Chatman, the influential new defensive line coach in Florida.
Carlos Dunlap, the Defensive MVP of the 2009 BCS National Championship for Florida, describes Gerald Chatman, the new Gators assistant, as “one of the coaches who has had a significant impact on my NFL career.”
Gainesville, Fla. – Carlos Dunlap, a former standout defensive lineman for the Florida Gators in the SEC, expresses his admiration for Gerald Chatman, the newly appointed defensive line coach for the Gators. Dunlap, who played three seasons at UF, achieving notable statistics and earning the Defensive MVP title in the 2009 BCS National Championship, commended Chatman, with whom he spent nearly two seasons in the NFL.
Having been hired by Florida from Tulane, Chatman received praise from Dunlap, who credited him as one of the most impactful coaches in his NFL career. In a statement released by UF, Dunlap welcomed Chatman to Gator Nation, emphasizing his excitement for the coach’s new role at Florida.
Chatman previously served as an analyst for the Cincinnati Bengals under head coach Zac Taylor, focusing on defensive ends and outside linebackers. During Dunlap’s 10th season in the pros, he experienced a resurgence under Chatman’s guidance, contributing significantly to the team’s defensive efforts.
Despite missing two games in 2019, Dunlap showcased impressive statistics, recording nine sacks, 13 tackles for loss, and 63 total tackles – his highest in each category since 2015. Notably, Dunlap achieved membership in the NFL’s 100-sack club shortly after working with Chatman. After a stint with the Seattle Seahawks in 2021 and a Super Bowl win with the Kansas City Chiefs, Dunlap has been a free agent.
Chatman, following his departure from Cincinnati, worked as an analyst at LSU in 2021 and oversaw defensive line units at Colorado in 2022 and Tulane in 2023 before joining the coaching staff in Gainesville.
In a recruitment pitch to potential athletes considering playing under Chatman at Florida, Dunlap highlighted the coach’s commitment to player development and success. He encouraged young players to embrace the opportunity to compete in the SEC under Chatman’s guidance, expressing excitement for the coach to bring his expertise to Florida.
Dunlap concluded his statement with a congratulatory message to Coach G and a spirited “Go Gators!” reaffirming the greatness of being a Florida Gator.
