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Florida's Heater has been fire for defensive backs

June 16, 2008
By Dennis Dodd
CBSSports.com Senior Writer
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Editor's note: This is the fourth of a 10-part summer series rating the top D-I college football coaches in the country. From position coaches to head coach, Dennis Dodd and you, the community, will compile an All-Star team of the nation's top 10 coaches. Next up: Defensive line. Vote now!
Chuck Heater, Florida:

Ten schools, 32 years, two national championships, one backup tight end.
Dodd's Coaches Feature Feature Tight End Coaches Wide Receivers Coaches Running Backs Coaches Today: Secondary Coaches Thursday: DL Coaches Mon., June 23: OL Coaches Thu., June 26: LB Coaches Mon., June 30: Offensive Coordinators Mon., July 7: Defensive Coordinators Mon., July 14: Head Coaches
They have all played into a long, accomplished career for Florida's cornerbacks coach and recruiting coordinator. Florida is Heater's 10th school since becoming a coach in 1976. In the 32 seasons since then, he has worked for six national coaches of the year.
However, he might not have hit the pinnacle of his career until 2006. Remember that crazy December day when Florida won the SEC title game and Southern California was upset by UCLA? The Gators didn't know for another day that they had officially clinched a spot in the BCS title game.
But on the floor of the Rose Bowl that day was one Adam Heater connecting the football dots. Born in Columbus, Ohio (supposedly during his dad's stop at Ohio State in the '80s), UCLA's backup tight end was reveling in his team's role in getting his father's team to the national championship game.
"I told him, we'll take care of business if they take care of business," Adam said that day. "It's a great day for the Heaters."
And Ohio State and Florida went on to play for the national championship.
It has been a great career for Chuck Heater. Having joined Urban Meyer on a staff for the fourth time, Heater has been a right-hand man for the Florida coach.
"He's one of the best teachers," Meyer said. "I used to just sit in his meetings and watch him coach."
Twenty of Heater's 32 seasons have been spent coaching the secondary. In his three seasons at Florida, the Gators have intercepted 48 passes, leading the SEC in 2005 and 2006. Three of the defensive backs he has coached became first-round draft choices.
Don't fret about the Gators slipping in SEC pass defense last season. Heater is doing something about it, and has it covered as recruiting coordinator. Florida's past three recruiting classes have been ranked in the top five.