Alumni Series: Brian Poole excited to return to UF and Checking Out Gator Program Under Coach Billy Napier
by Bob Redman, aka “Hollywood Bob”
Former Florida Gator and six-year NFL star cornerback Brian Poole was back in Gainesville a little more than a week ago to witness Florida’s spring game and meet up with old friends. The outgoing Poole was also trying to catch up with what is going on with the program that he still loves.
Poole is waiting to hear on his next assignment in the league and had some time in between workouts to check out Gainesville and see what was going on. He also wanted to meet up with some of his best friends from his college days and check out former Gator Johnny Townsend’s get together to raise awareness for the Pediatric Oncology unit at Shands Hospital and UF Health.
“Just finished up my sixth season, finished up with the Colts this past season and I’m currently living in the Tampa Bay area and getting ready for the seventh season,” Poole said just before the spring game. “It’s been great. I’ve really been enjoying myself. It’s really nice to be back and connect with my college brothers. It’s been a while since I’ve seen a lot of these guys. It’s definitely been a great experience and something I will cherish for the rest of my life.”
Poole was part of the 2012 Florida recruiting class and was in Gainesville when the defenses were usually terrific. That 2012 class had some big time players that went on to spend a lot of time in the NFL and guys that are pretty close as a group as well.
“I’m still pretty cool with a lot of guys I came in with like Marcus Maye, Jonathan Bullard, and Bryan Cox,” Poole said. “We’ve got a pretty cool group. We keep in touch and spend a lot of time together. We take vacations together once a year and still find a way to spend time with each other.”
Poole always loved his time in Gainesville and just being a part of the program. He was excited to get back and get a closer look at what was going on.
“It’s great, it feels like home,” he said. “I almost wish I could just recommit again. It’s definitely a great feeling and I’m just happy to be back home.”
He really wants to get involved and see what the latest is with the program that is now headed by head coach Billy Napier. When we caught up with Poole before the game he hadn’t had a chance to delve more into things.
“I’ve talked to Mike (Peterson), he’s the only coach I’ve talked to so far,” Poole said. “He says things are going in the right direction. He really likes what the new coach is bringing to the program and just really expects some big things in the near future.”
In the meantime Poole still thinks back to when he used to take the field as a Gator on hot Saturday afternoons and evenings. That part of his experience in the orange and blue was what he remembers and thinks about the most.
“Probably just running out of the tunnel, it felt like the Super Bowl every Saturday,” Poole said. “I will say that’s probably my fondest memory
“In college the fan base is more into it. In the NFL the fan base is only behind you if the team is doing well. In college it don’t matter I the team is doing well or what is going on, the fan base is still behind you.”