Billy Gonzales - Wide Receivers Coach - Staff Directory - Florida Atlantic University Athletics

Staff Directory

Billy Gonzales

Title:
Wide Receivers Coach

Brings greatness to the program after roaming the sidelines at three BCS National Championship games with Florida (2005, 2008) and LSU (2011).

Gonzales Mic'd Up

Feature

At FAU

Joined the staff in March of 2022 and quickly began working with the wide receivers

At Florida (2018-2021)

12 receivers record a touchdown in 2021 and the unit recorded 3,300 yards in 13 games, including 15 receptions in the Gasprilla Bowl
In 2020, despite losing three receivers to the NFL Draft, the position group continued to shine under Gonzales. Florida receivers combined to catch 189 passes for 2,716 yards and 28 touchdowns
Kadarius Toney proved to be one of the elite weapons in college football in 2020 and was selected as the 20th overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft
Toney finished fifth in the SEC and 28th among all FBS players in all-purpose yards per game (130.8), in addition to being one of 25 FBS players and one of six SEC players with 12-plus total touchdowns (10 receiving, one rushing, one punt return)
Toney’s 10 touchdown receptions were tied for seventh in the FBS while his 984 receiving yards ranked 13th nationally
In the passing attack, Florida’s 46 touchdown passes led the nation and were the second-highest season total in school history
Florida was the only FBS team featuring six players with at least three receiving touchdowns and was one of four FBS teams featuring six players with more than 20 receptions and 225 receiving yards
The Gators were also one of eight FBS teams featuring seven players with multiple touchdown receptions
In 2019, Gonzales’ mentorship played a crucial role in allowing Florida to reach its second consecutive New Year’s Six bowl
The Gators made a name for themselves as one of the best receiving teams in UF history, recording 33 passing TDs over the course of the season – the most since 2008
UF’s pass offense averaged 300.8 yards per game, ranking 16th nationally
Florida was the only FBS team featuring eight pass catchers with 20-plus receptions, 250-plus yards, and a touchdown
Nine different players finished with 150-plus receiving yards, while seven Gators had multiple touchdown receptions for the first time since 2007
Four senior receivers under Gonzales -- Tyrie Cleveland, Josh Hammond, Van Jefferson, Freddie Swain -- led the talented group of offensive skill players, combining for 2,006 total yards, 17 total touchdowns, and 139 of the team’s 317 receptions this year (43.8 percent)
Moreover, Swain, Jefferson, Lamical Perine and Kyle Pitts finished the season with at least five receiving touchdowns for the first time since 2008
Overall, ten Gators had at least one touchdown catch during the season, and 11 Gators had one in 2018 -- marking the first time since 2000 and 2001 that 10 different Gators caught a touchdown in consecutive seasons
Under with Gonzales’ guidance, Swain’s recorded seven touchdowns this season, tying Demarcus Robinson (2014) for the highest single-season total since Riley Cooper had nine touchdown receptions in 2009
Additionally, his 15 career receiving touchdowns made him the first Gator since Cooper (18 from 2006-09) to finish a career with 15-plus receiving touchdowns
Hammond, another senior standout for Gonzales, accounted for two of the Gators’ nine scrimmage plays of 60-plus yards, recording a 76-yard touchdown run at Kentucky and a 65-yard reception to set up the winning touchdown versus Miami
Hammond was one of nine FBS players with a 65-yard run and reception in 2019
During the 2018 season, Gonzales helped devise game plans each week that allowed 11 different Gators to record a touchdown reception - the most by a UF team since 2009
For perspective, Florida combined for 10 touchdown receptions in all of 2017
The Gators also had four players total at least 25 receptions for the first time since 2015
While at UF, the Gators amassed 425-plus total yards six times in 2018, tying the 2009 Gators for the most such games in a season. For perspective, UF logged 425-plus yards in a combined total of five games from 2015-17
The Gators’ tempo increased in 2018 as well scoring 32 times with drives of less than three minutes opposed to 12 the previous season
Florida’s also surpassed its combined totals from 2016 and 2017 totals for touchdowns of 30-plus yards
Individually, Gonzales guided Van Jefferson to six touchdown receptions, which tied Solomon Patton (2013) for the third-highest season total by a Gator since 2009
Meanwhile, Gonzales moved Freddie Swain to the slot and worked with him on his punt return ability, which led to a breakout season
Swain doubled his career all-purpose yards (and doubled his career touchdown total) from his first two seasons at Florida
Swain was one of five FBS players with at least five touchdown receptions and a punt return average (qualifying players only) of at least 10.5 yards
Meanwhile, his plays of note in 2018 were a 85-yard punt return touchdown against Colorado State--tied for the eighth-longest return by an FBS player this year--along with a 65-yard touchdown catch at Tennessee, and a 36-yard touchdown catch that gave Florida a 14-13 lead over Georgia
Swain was one of eight FBS players with a punt return touchdown and receiving touchdown of 65-plus yards
Swain ranked 19th nationally in punt return average (10.18; 224 yards, one touchdown on 22 returns)
Overall, UF had five punt returns of 20-plus yards

At Mississippi State (2013-17)

Over his five seasons at Mississippi State, the Bulldogs recorded 18 100-yard receiving games, including a school record seven in 2015
Five times in his tenure MSU has accounted for multiple 100-yard receiving games in the same contest, something that had only been done five times in program history prior to his arrival
In addition, the three highest team single-season receiving yard totals were all on Gonzales’ watch
Every individual single-season school receiving record was broken under Gonzales
The Bulldogs shattered the school record for total receiving yards for a third straight year in 2015 with 4,113
Gonzales’ protégé, Fred Ross, arguably went down as the greatest receiver in MSU history
Ross shattered six school records, including career marks for receptions (199), receiving yards (2,528), 100-yard receiving games (10) and consecutive games with a reception (35)
Ross also became the first receiver in school history to earn first-team All-Southeastern Conference honors in back-to-back seasons
Despite being a run-oriented offense for most of 2016, Ross still managed to top the SEC in receiving touchdowns (12), and he ranked second in catches (72) and first in 10+ yard catches (38)
Ross’ 199 catches ranked ninth in SEC career history
He became another of a long line of Gonzales receivers to reach the NFL when the Carolina Panthers signed him in April 2017
In 2015, Ross became the first MSU wideout to be selected first-team All-SEC since 1995
Junior De’Runnya Wilson earned a second-team All-SEC spot
That fall Ross obliterated the school record for catches in a season with 88, a mark that also ranked seventh in SEC single-season annals
Ross became the second 1,000-yard receiver in school history and became the first Bulldog to lead the SEC in receptions per game (6.8) since 1978
Ross’ five 100-yard receiving games were a school record catching 41 passes along the way
Wilson, meanwhile, finished his career second in MSU touchdown catches with 22
In his first season as co-offensive coordinator in 2014, Gonzales was an instrumental part of an offense that broke 15 MSU single-season team records, including total offensive yards (6,679), yards per play (6.7), per game offense (513.8 ypg), points (480), offensive touchdowns (60), receiving yards (3,649) and receiving touchdowns (31)
Part of the Bulldogs’ 2014 success was demonstrated by Gonzales’ development of depth at wide receiver
MSU led the nation in number of players with a receiving touchdown on the year (12), while 16 different players caught multiple passes
Wilson became a household name with 680 receiving yards and a nation-leading five touchdowns on third down
MSU produced three 100-yard receivers in the same game for the first time when Joe Morrow (6/117), Wilson (9/105) and Ross (6/102) achieved the feat in the Orange Bowl
It was the Bulldogs’ first appearance in the game in 73 years, capping a season that saw the program reach No. 1 for the first time in school history
Gonzales made an immediate impact in his first season in 2013 with the Bulldogs as junior wideout Jameon Lewis developed into one of the SEC’s elite slot receivers
Lewis ranked sixth in the SEC in receiving yards per game (71.0)
He capped the year with an MSU single-game school-record 220 receiving yards in an AutoZone Liberty Bowl victory over Rice

At Illinois (2012) & LSU (2010-11)

Served a one-year stint as co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach at Illinois
Prior to coaching the Fighting Illini, Gonzales served as the passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach at LSU
During his time in Baton Rouge, Gonzales helped the Tigers to the 2012 BCS National Championship game and the 2011 SEC Championship
His development of Odell Beckham Jr. and Reuben Randle were apparent during the Tigers’ season, as he led them to Freshman All-SEC and first-team All-SEC accolades respectively
Beckham became an elite NFL player

Florida (2005-09)

During his time as wide receivers coach, the Gators’ high-octane offense translated to two BCS national championships in 2006 and 2008
At Florida he sent seven players to the NFL Draft, including 2009 first-round pick Percy Harvin and Chad Jackson, a second-round selection by the New England Patriots in 2007
In 2005, Jackson played his way to Biletnikoff Award semifinalist status after matching the UF single-season record with 88 receptions, a figure that led the SEC and finished sixth nationally
Gonzales’ pupil, Harvin, finished his college career as one of the most prolific offensive threats in school history
In three seasons, he totaled 133 catches for 1,929 yards and 13 touchdowns, while rushing the ball 194 times for 1,852 yards with 19 touchdowns. His 32 career touchdowns are the most ever by a UF wide receiver
Harvin averaged an astounding 9.5 yards per carry as a running back and averaged 11.6 yards overall (running back, receiver, return man)
He was the first player in UF history to rush for 100 yards and have 100 yards receiving in the same game (against Vanderbilt, 2007)
From 2005 to 2009, Gonzales and Florida produced seven all-SEC wide receivers, including first-team selections Chad Jackson (2005), Dallas Baker (2006), Harvin (2007, ’08) and Brandon James (2008), and second-team honorees Cornelius Ingram (2007) and Riley Cooper (2009)

At Utah (2003-04)

During his two seasons as Utah’s wide receivers coach and co-special teams coordinator, Gonzales saw the Utes to a 22-2 record and two bowl wins, including a 35-7 thrashing of Pittsburgh in the 2005 Fiesta Bowl
The Utes’ offense averaged 499.8 yards and 45.3 points per game, each ranking third in the country in their respective categories
Under Gonzales’ watch, three Utah receivers were first-team All-Mountain West: tight end Ben Moa (2003), wide receiver Paris Warren (2003) and wide receiver Steve Savoy (2004)
As a special teams guru, Gonzales led Utah to 28.2 yards per kickoff return in 2003, which was good enough for the nation’s lead
Utah was also third in the country in net punting yard (40.8) and fifth in kickoff returns during the 2004 season (26.2)

Bowling Green (2001-02)

Gonzales spent two seasons at Bowling Green, serving as wide receivers coach and co-recruiting coordinator
The Falcons were 17-6 in his two years at the school and in 2002, Bowling Green was third in the country in scoring averaging 48 points per game
BGU’s offense also averaged 448.9 yards per game during the 2002 season, ranking ninth in the country
Under Gonzales’ direction, wide receiver Robert Redd was an All-MAC selection during the coaches’ two years at the school and became the school’s all-time leader in receptions

Kent State (1995-2001)

Gonzales got his first full-time coaching position in Division I in 1997 when he accepted a job at Kent State
During his four-year coaching stint with the Golden Flashes, he coached running backs for his opening season followed by three years as the wide receivers coach
As running backs coach, he led Astron Whatley to three All-MAC selections
As wide receivers coach, Gonzales tutored Eugene Baker to a third-team All-America selection as he became the school’s all-time leading receiver
Prior to a full-time coaching job with the Golden Flashes, Gonzales spent two years as a graduate assistant at the school from 1995-96
He earned his master’s degree from Kent State in sports administration

MacMurray (Ill.) College

Began his coaching career in 1994 at MacMurray College as the program’s wide receiver coach

Collegiate Playing Career

Four-year letterwinner at Colorado State, including two years as a starting wide receiver
Helped the Rams to a 9-4 record during the 1990 season and to a win over Oregon in the Freedom Bowl

Personal
Born: July 18, 1971
Hometown: Thorton, Colorado
Education: 1994 – Bachelor’s from Colorado State; 1996- Master’s from Kent State
Family: Gonzales and his wife, Julie, have two children, Cole and Caylynn

Coaching History

Seasons	School/Team	Title/Position Coached
2018-Present	Florida	Co-Offensive Coordinator / Wide Receivers
2014-17	Mississippi State	Co-Offensive Coordinator / Passing Game / Wide Receivers
2013	Mississippi State	Wide Receivers
2012	Illinois	Wide Receivers / Co-Offensive Coordinator
2010-11	LSU	Passing Game Coordinator / Wide Receivers
2008-09	Florida	Wide Receivers / Recruiting Coordinator
2005-07	Florida	Wide Receivers
2003-04	Utah	Wide Receivers / Special Teams Coordinator
2001-02	Bowling Green	Wide Receivers
1995-2001	Kent State	Wide Receivers / Running Backs
1994	MacMurray	Wide Receivers

Postseason History

Season	Bowl Game	Opponent	Result
2020	Cotton Bowl	Oklahoma	L, 55-20
2020	SEC Championship	Alabama	L, 52-46
2019	Capital One Orange Bowl (Florida)	Virginia	W,36-28
2018	Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl (Florida)	Michigan	W, 41-15
2016	St. Petersburg Bowl (MSU)	Miami (OH)	W, 17-16
2015	Belk (MSU)	NC State	W, 51-28
2014	Orange (MSU)	Georgia Tech	L, 49-34
2013	Liberty (MSU)	Rice	W, 44-7
2012	BCS National Championship (LSU)	Alabama	L, 21-0
2011	Cotton Bowl (2011)	Texas A&M	W, 41-24
2010	Sugar Bowl (Florida)	Cincinnati	W, 51-24
2009	BCS National Championship (Florida)	Oklahoma	W, 24-14
2008	Capital One Bowl (Florida)	Michigan	L, 41-35
2007	BCS National Championship (Florida)	Ohio State	W, 41-14
2006	Outback Bowl (Florida)	Iowa	W, 31-24
2005	Fiesta Bowl (Utah)	Pittsburgh	W, 35-7
2003	Liberty Bowl (Utah)	Southern Miss	W, 17-0

NFL PLAYERS (ROUND DRAFTED)
WR Kadarius Toney (1st) - Florida '21 - New York Giants
WR Van Jefferson (2nd) - Florida '20 - Los Angeles Rams
RB LaMical Perine (4th) - Florida '20 - New York Jets
WR Freddie Swain (6th) - Florida '20 - Seattle Seahawks
WR Tyrie Cleveland (7th) - Florida '20 - Denver Broncos
OT Jawaan Taylor (2nd) - Florida ' 19 - Jacksonville Jaguars
C Elgton Jenkins (2nd) - MSU '19 - Green Bay Packers
RB Jordan Scarlett (5th) - Florida '19 - Carolina Panthers
OT Martinas Rankin (3rd) – Mississippi State ’18 – Houston Texans
TE Jordan Thomas (6th) – Mississippi State ’18 – Houston Texans
OT Justin Senior (6th) – Mississippi State ’17 – Seattle Seahawks
QB Dak Prescott (4th) – Mississippi State ’16 – Dallas Cowboys
TE Malcolm Johnson (6th) – Mississippi State ’15 – Cleveland Browns
RB Josh Robinson (6th) – Mississippi State ’15 – Indianapolis Colts
WR Odell Beckham Jr. (1st) – LSU ’14 – New York Giants
WR Jarvis Landry (2nd) – LSU ’14 – Miami Dolphins
WR James Wright (7th) – LSU ’14 – Cincinnati Bengals
OG Hugh Thornton (3rd) – Illinois ’13 – Indianapolis Colts
WR Reuben Randle (2nd) – LSU ’12 – New York Giants
WR Riley Cooper (5th) – Florida ’10 – Philadelphia Eagles
WR Percy Harvin (1st) – Florida ’09 – Minnesota Vikings
WR Louis Murphy (4th) – Florida ’09 – Oakland Raiders
WR Andre Caldwell (3rd) – Florida ’08 – Cincinnati Bengals
WR Dallas Baker (7th) – Florida ’07 – Pittsburgh Steelers
WR Chad Jackson (2nd) – Florida ’06 – New England Patriots
WR Paris Warren (7th) – Utah ‘05 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
WR Eugene Baker (5th) – Kent State ’99 – Atlanta Falcons