GAINESVILLE, Florida — Jimmy Lake was doing one of the most difficult jobs in America on a Friday afternoon as he drove home from work: plotting to beat Los Angeles traffic.
The caller said he wouldn’t keep him for too long because he had driven those motorways a few times. During his first season as the Los Angeles Rams’ associate head coach, Lake had no problem taking some time to discuss one of his standout students.
2018 saw Lake campaign for the hiring of Will Harris as the new secondary coach for the Gators, replacing Chris Petersen as defensive coordinator at Washington. While Harris was coaching defensive backs at San Jose State, Lake got to know the former USC defensive back under Pete Carroll during a prospect satellite camp held on the campus of Cal Lutheran.
Lake observed Harris leading drills and coaching the players.
“I just noticed Will and how well he related to the young men and how detailed he was in his coaching,” Lake stated. “He had such good energy about him, a good vibe.”
In addition to observing the young players, Lake also made notes about Harris. Five years ago, when the NCAA permitted the addition of a full-time 10th on-field assistant, he contacted Harris about taking on the role of assistant defensive backs coach.
“I looked at my list right away, and Will was at the top,” Lake remarked. “That was how we met, and that was how we ended up hiring him.”
Harris had an immediate effect on the Seattle campus and managed the growth of corners Trent McDuffie and Kyler Gordon, who are headed to the NFL. Harris became the secondary coach for the Huskies after Lake succeeded Petersen in 2020. The following year, his team allowed the fewest passing yards and touchdown passes in the nation.
In the City of Angels, Harris and Lake began this season as friendly rivals. Harris was the assistant secondary coach with the Los Angeles Chargers before leaving after last Sunday’s game to take the Florida position, having served as defensive coordinator for a season at Georgia Southern. The former Huskies did cross paths at a preseason game, but the Rams and Chargers did not play each other during the regular season.
