Mark Hocke, the former Director of Football Strength & Conditioning for the Florida Gators, has announced his departure from the University of Florida to return to Louisiana. After a season in a reduced role as Director of Player Relations, Hocke is set to rejoin the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns as Special Teams Coordinator and Defensive Analyst.
Hocke’s tenure with the Gators began in 2022 when he followed head coach Billy Napier from Louisiana to Florida. However, after the 2023 season, he was reassigned from his position as Director of Football Strength & Conditioning to Director of Player Relations. This shift was part of a broader restructuring within the Gators’ football program.
During his time at Florida, Hocke’s training methods came under scrutiny. Players noted a shift in focus from traditional strength training to conditioning and speed, aligning more with track and field approaches. This change led to concerns about players losing muscle mass and strength. Former player Princely Umanmielen remarked that the emphasis felt more suited to the Pac-12 rather than the SEC, with insufficient heavy weightlifting during offseason workouts.
Hocke’s departure from Florida is the latest in a series of changes within the Gators’ strength and conditioning staff. Following Hocke’s reassignment, Craig Fitzgerald was briefly brought in but left after a month. Tyler Miles was subsequently promoted to the position of head strength coach.
In returning to Louisiana, Hocke reunites with the Ragin’ Cajuns, bringing valuable experience from his time in the SEC. His new role as Special Teams Coordinator and Defensive Analyst is expected to bolster the team’s strategic capabilities. The Ragin’ Cajuns’ official social media welcomed Hocke back, expressing enthusiasm for his return to the program.
Hocke’s move highlights the dynamic nature of coaching staff roles within collegiate football, as programs continually adjust to find the right fit for their teams’ needs. His return to Louisiana signifies a homecoming and an opportunity to apply his SEC experience to enhance the Ragin’ Cajuns’ football operations.
