Florida Gators’ Jabbar Juluke Suspended Three Games Following Pregame Altercation with LSU
Gainesville, FL — Florida associate head coach and running backs coach Jabbar Juluke has been suspended for three games by the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and the University of Florida after his involvement in a pregame altercation before the Gators’ matchup against LSU.
What Happened
- The incident took place prior to the Florida vs. LSU game on Saturday, September 14, when several pregame scuffles broke out between players and staff during warmups.
- It is not completely clear from public reports exactly what Juluke did, but his involvement was enough for the SEC and UF to deem disciplinary action necessary.
The Suspension
- Juluke will miss Florida’s next three games:
- vs. Miami
- vs. Texas
- vs. Texas A&M
- His suspension was announced jointly by the SEC and the University of Florida.
Reaction & Statements
- SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey issued a statement saying Juluke’s behavior was “unacceptable” and not aligned with the standards expected from the Conference. Sankey emphasized that coaches are supposed to act as leaders and to de-escalate situations when tensions arise, which he says did not happen in this case.
- Juluke released an apology, saying he “reacted in a manner I’m not proud of,” took full responsibility for his actions, and expressed regret. He also said he intends to use the moment to improve his emotional intelligence and serve as a better example.
- University of Florida’s Athletic Director Scott Stricklin also commented, acknowledging Juluke’s past contributions and expressing support as Juluke works to meet the program’s standards.
- Head Coach Billy Napier said the actions were not up to Florida’s standard, praised Juluke for taking responsibility, and expressed confidence that the coach will learn and improve from the incident.
Impact & What’s Next
- With Juluke sidelined for three key upcoming games against top-ranked opponents, the Gators will need to adjust responsibilities in the running backs coaching staff. How the offense—and particularly the running backs unit—performs under his absence will be closely watched.
- The suspension’s return date is set for October 18, when Florida hosts Mississippi State.
- The broader implications include questions about program discipline, leadership expectations in high-pressure situations, and what this means for Coach Napier’s staff culture.
Context & Juluke’s Background
- Juluke has been Florida’s running backs coach since 2022, having followed Head Coach Billy Napier from Louisiana, where they worked together from 2018 to 2021.
- Before joining Florida, Juluke had previous coaching stints at LSU (in 2016) and Texas Tech, among others. Conclusion
While the precise details of Juluke’s actions during the pregame altercation are still somewhat unclear, the SEC and University of Florida have made their stance firm: coaches are held to high standards of conduct, especially in emotionally charged moments. Juluke’s suspension underscores that accountability is expected not just of players, but of coaching staff as well. As Florida heads into three tough upcoming games without Juluke on the sideline, how the team handles both on-field execution and off-field leadership will be under the microscope.
