Florida fires 2 defensive coaches

Florida coach Dan Mullen wasted little time identifying problem areas following his team’s worst defensive season in more than a hundred years.

Mullen fired secondary coaches Ron English and Torrian Gray, according to a person familiar with the situation. The person spoke to the Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because the moves hadn’t been made public.

The 10th-ranked Gators (8-4) allowed 30.8 points a game in 2020, their most since giving up 41.2 over six games in 1917, and the secondary was a significant part of the problem.

English coached Florida’s safeties the past three seasons, and Gray coached cornerbacks the last two.

Florida surrendered 52 and 55 points, respectively, in consecutive losses to top-ranked Alabama and No. 8 Oklahoma to close out the year. The Sooners racked up a whopping 684 yards — the most any team has ever gained against Florida — in the Cotton Bowl on Wednesday night. In other news:

• BYU quarterback ZachWilson is entering the NFL draft.

Wilson announced the decision on Twitter.

“After much thought prayer and consideration, I’m excited to announce that I will be declaring for the 2021 NFL draft,” Wilson tweeted. “I pray that I will always back Cougar Nation proud.”

Wilson passed for 3,692 yards and 33 touchdowns with three interceptions this season as a junior to help the Cougars finish 11-1.

• Southern California defensive lineman Marlon Tuipulotu and cornerback Olaijah Griffin are headed to the NFL draft.

The two key defensive starters announced their intentions.

USC already had lost All-America safety Talanoa Hufanga and offensive lineman Alijah VeraTucker.

• Clint Bowen is leaving North Texas after only one season as defensive coordinator, a move that coach Seth Littrell says was a mutual decision.

The Mean Green were last in Conference USA allowing 522 total yards and nearly 43 points a game.