Florida Gators Football: Joker Phillips worked camp Wednesday before resigning
By Jack Crosby
![April 6, 2013; Gainesville FL, USA; Florida Gators wide receiver coach Joker Phillips talks with wide receiver Demarcus Robinson (11) during the spring practice for the Orange and Blue Deput at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports April 6, 2013; Gainesville FL, USA; Florida Gators wide receiver coach Joker Phillips talks with wide receiver Demarcus Robinson (11) during the spring practice for the Orange and Blue Deput at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/85a241b9854b464d2cd60cb701b7a5b8ec0ef91af8207b1ef21ef75c98416937.jpg)
The Florida Gators were hit with some rather surprising news on Wednesday as wide receivers coach Joker Phillips abruptly resigned from his position, and he will be replaced by former Gators quarterback Chris Leak.
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Immediately following the news, there was no reason given as to why Phillips decided to step down from his position, other than this brief statement released through the school.
“I’m thankful for the opportunity that the University of Florida and Will Muschamp provided to me and my family, but at this time I have decided to step down from my position on the UF coaching staff for personal reasons,’’ Phillips said.
With the college football regular season just a little over two months away and spring football just ending, the news does come as a bit of a shock.
What should also raise a few eyebrows, as well, is the fact that prior to the announcement, Phillips actually worked at the Florida camp.
Per source, Joker Phillips worked the Florida camp today. This is unusual.
— CoachingSearch.com (@coachingsearch) June 11, 2014
Of course, your first thought is that something was done that shouldn’t have been, but you need to leave the speculation at the door before jumping to any conclusions. Nonetheless, this is another alarming trend in regards to Florida wide receiver coaches in the Will Muschamp era.
Florida wide receiver coaches in the Muschamp era: Aubrey Hill, Bush Hamdan, Joker Phillips, and now Chris Leak.
— CoachingSearch.com (@coachingsearch) June 11, 2014