Over the last two seasons, Florida running back Jadan Baugh captured the nation's attention, even as the Gators have struggled to find their footing.
While speaking about his growth during his first two years with the Florida Gators at the 2026 SEC Media Days, Baugh gave a big nod to Jabbar Juluke.
From 2022 through 2025, Juluke was the Gators' associate head coach and running backs coach. Now, the very assistant who helped Baugh mature into the powerhouse running back that he is today is on the coaching staff of none other than the Texas Longhorns and Steve Sarkisian.
"Coach Juluke is a great coach," Baugh said. "He gave me the opportunity to play for him and put my talent out there, and he believed in me when a lot of other coaches didn't believe. So, having him in my corner all the time was great for me."
With 1,170 rushing yards for eight touchdowns and 210 receiving yards for two touchdowns, Baugh undeniably turned into a monster for the Gators' offense last season.
Steve Sarkisian picked up the right running backs and RBs coach
Sarkisian poached Juluke from the Gators during the offseason, in the middle of a massive coaching staff transformation on the 40 Acres. Beyond his experience at Florida, the running backs coach spent time with the Texas Tech Red Raiders, LSU Tigers, and a slew of other collegiate and high school teams.
Beyond his experience as an assistant, Juluke has repeatedly coached up some of the best running backs at the college level, with Baugh being the latest example of his success.
As the Horns welcome transfer additions Hollywood Smothers and Raleek Brown, as well as working with true freshman Derrek Cooper and returners James Simon and Michael Terry III, a coach like Juluke is exactly who Texas needed to lead the running back room.
"Push myself each and every day, even on the days when you don't feel like doing it," Buagh said about what Juluke instilled in him. "He always gave me the confidence to keep going, and he always pushed that I can be a great player; I just gotta do it."
Florida RB Jadan Baugh speaks at SEC Media Days about new Texas assistant coach Jabbar Juluke and if he thought about following Juluke from Gainesville to Austin. #HookEm pic.twitter.com/hHUuZbqpuX
— Danny Davis (@_dannydavis) July 22, 2026
While Juluke was a massive addition to Sarkisian's support staff, the Horns didn't quite stand a chance to bring Baugh into their fold as well.
"Me and him, we had talks," Baugh said. "He always told me, 'If you wanna stay, stay. This is something you're doing and something we always planned for you to do... It's home for you.' He never [said] 'Oh, come with me, come with me.'"
While at LSU in 2026, Juluke coached legendary Tiger running backs Leonard Fournette and Derrius Guice. One year later, he helped Justin Stockton and Tre King combine for nearly 1,500 rushing yards with the Red Raiders.
Even while working with the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns, he coached Chris Smith, Montrell Johnson Jr., and Emani Bailey to combine for over 2,300 rushing yards in 2021.
Simply put, no matter when Juluke is based, his running backs find an extraordinary amount of success, and that is exactly what the Texas Longhorns should expect out of their new running backs coach.
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