With a resume featuring over ten years of coaching experience at both the SEC and NFL levels, Decoster joins the Gators after serving on the Cleveland Browns staff.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida Head Coach Billy Napier announced Thursday the addition of Jonathan Decoster to the program as the Gators’ assistant offensive line coach.
“We’re excited to bring in Jonathan on to our staff and welcome his family; his wife, Amber, along with Aria, Zeke and Mia, to our Gator family,” Napier said. “Jon has been around some of the greatest minds of the game throughout his career. His NFL and SEC experience, paired with his ability to teach and connect with players on and off the field, add incredible value to our team.”
“I am grateful and excited for the opportunity to be back in my home state and become a part of what coach Napier is building in Gainesville,” Decoster said. “For the past three years, I was fortunate to learn from one of the greatest NFL offensive line coaches of all time in Bill Callahan. I can’t wait to work with Coach Sale to make the Gators offensive line the best version of themselves on and off the field.”
With a resume featuring over ten years of coaching experience at both the collegiate and professional levels, Decoster arrives from the Cleveland Browns organization where he was an offensive assistant. Decoster joined the Browns in 2021 after spending the previous eight years coaching at the college level. He spent his first season with the club as an offensive quality control coach before being named an offensive assistant in 2022.
“John is a bright young coach that has an incredible work ethic and a deep football knowledge to help develop his players on the field and the ability to connect with each player on a personal level off the field,” said new Patriots Offensive Coordinator Alex Van Pelt who worked with Decoster in Cleveland. “I’m excited to continue to watch his star rise.”
In Cleveland, Decoster helped the Browns lead the NFL in rushing average in 2021 with a 5.09 mark, the highest average by a Browns team since 1966. The team’s 6,090 scrimmage yards were the fourth-most by the club in a single-season.
Before his time with the Browns, Decoster made his first trip to the Southeastern Conference, where he spent three seasons (2017-19) coaching the tight ends at LSU. There, he developed future NFL tight ends Foster Moreau (fourth round, 2019), Stephen Sullivan (seventh round, 2020) and Thaddeus Moss (undrafted free agent). Moss set the LSU single-season record for receptions and receiving yards by a tight end. Decoster helped the Tigers capture the FBS National Championship after a 13-0 season in 2019. LSU led the nation in total offense, scoring offense and red zone offense in 2019 and finished second in passing offense.
Prior to his stint in Baton Rouge, Decoster joined West Virginia State where he served as offensive line coach, recruiting coordinator, strength coach and travel coordinator from 2015-16. His offensive line helped the team set numerous school records, including the most touchdowns and points scored.
Decoster began his coaching career as a graduate assistant offensive line coach at Nevada, where he helped develop future Browns All-Pro guard Joel Bitonio. Bitonio became the second-highest draft pick in school history (second round, 2014).
A native of Miramar, Fla., Decoster was a four-year starter at right tackle at the University of Louisiana and anchored an offensive line that finished seventh in the country rushing in both 2007 and 2008.
Decoster earned a bachelor’s degree in management information systems from UL and worked in Baton Rouge as an IT project manager until pursuing a coaching career in 2013. He earned master’s degrees in education leadership from the University of Nevada and liberal arts from LSU.
Decoster and his wife, Amber, have two daughters, Aria and Mia, and a son, Zeke.
Coaching Experience
2022-23 Cleveland Browns, offensive assistant
2021 Cleveland Browns, offensive quality control coach
2020 Old Dominion University, tight ends coach
2017-19 Louisiana State University, graduate assistant tight ends coach
2015-16 West Virginia State University, offensive line coach/recruiting coordinator/strength coach/travel coordinator
2013-14 University of Nevada, graduate assistant offensive line coach
NFL Players Mentored by Decoster (at the college level)
Joel Bitonio (G): Cleveland Browns, 2014, 2nd round
Foster Moreau (TE): Las Vegas Raiders, 2019, 4th round
Steven Sullivan (TE): Seattle Seahawks, 2020, 7th round
Thaddeus Moss (TE): Washington Commanders, 2020, UFA
What They’re Saying About Decoster
Alex Van Pelt, March 2024, (New England Patriots OC / worked with Decoster at Cleveland)
“John is a bright young coach that has an incredible work ethic and a deep football knowledge to help develop his players on the field and the ability to connect with each player on a personal level off the field. I’m excited to continue to watch his star rise.”
Scott Peters, March 2024, (New England Patriots OL Coach / worked with Decoster at Cleveland)
“Florida landed a great addition to their staff by hiring John Decoster. John excelled in every area of coaching during his three seasons with the Browns offensive line. John brings a high level of knowledge in scheme and technique, but what sets him apart is his ability to teach. John played a critical role in the development of our young players, most notably Dawand Jones, and I have no doubt he will do the same as a compliment to Rob Sale with the Gators offensive line.”
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