Understanding the tradition of DBU, Charlton Warren helped restore that standard in his first season as cornerbacks coach for Florida in 2018.
With that said, UF led the nation in fourth quarter opponent passing efficiency (66.25) and were second nationally in fourth quarter opponent completion percentage (40.5).
Warren came to Florida after he served as Tennessee’s defensive backs coach and special teams coordinator during the 2017 season. A native of Atlanta, Ga., Warren has spent a majority of his coaching career at Air Force, his alma mater, where he served in many roles during his nine seasons on staff.
In addition, Warren was a three-year letterman at defensive back for the Falcons, and helped the program achieve consecutive 10-win seasons in 1997 and 1998.
In addition to his coaching experience on the collegiate level, Warren participated in the NFL minority internship program in 2007 with the Houston Texans. He spent training camp with the Texans, and assisted with the defensive and special teams units.
Florida (2018)
Florida’s defense--in spite of a multiple injuries in the secondary and being without 2017 Coaches SEC All-Freshman Team cornerback Marco Wilson from Week 2 on--made huge improvements in 2018 compared to the prior season:
Category ‘17 Stats FBS Rank ‘18 Stats FBS Rank Change
Fumble Recoveries 3 t-125th 12 t-12th +113
Forced Fumbles 3 t-129th 11 t-52nd +77
Takeaways 17 t-81st 26 t-11th +70
Passing Efficiency Defense 130.87 73rd 112.69 17th +56
Scoring Defense 27.3 69th 20.0 20th +49
Yards Per Play 5.73 73rd 5.12 33rd +40
Sacks Per Game (Total) 2.09 (23) t-59th 2.85 (37) t-20th +39
In addition, the Gators’ 26 takeaways ranked tied for 11th nationally, and they scored 85 points off those turnovers.
Individually, Warren tutored Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, C.J. Henderson and rookie Trey Dean III to All-SEC caliber seasons.
Gardner-Johnson finished third on the team with a career-high 71 tackles, including nine tackles-for-loss, three sacks and four interceptions. His four INTs ranked tied for 16
th in the country and tied for second in the SEC. After he snagged a pair of interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown, Gardner-Johnson was named the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl Defensive MVP. In addition for his efforts, the Cocoa, Fla. native garnered AP All-Bowl Team honors.
Henderson, who’s regarded as one of the top cornerbacks in the entire country, flourished under the direction of Warren as he totaled 38 tackles, five tackles-for-loss, three sacks, two interceptions, team-high seven pass breakups and two forced fumbles. For his efforts on the field, Henderson earned Coaches’ All-SEC Second Team honors and Athlon Sports Third Team All-SEC accolades.
Dean, who began the season as a key member of Florida’s special teams units and reserve defensive back, had to step up after All-SEC corner Marco Wilson sustained a season-ending injury against Kentucky. With Warren working with him each day, Dean moved into a prominent role and started nine of the final 10 games where he tallied 26 tackles, one interception and six passes defensed. Those six pass breakups ranked second on the team behind Henderson and he earned Coaches’ Freshman All-SEC Team honors.
Off the field, Warren is credited with helping Florida sign Dean in 2018 and defensive backs Jaydon Hill, Chester Kimbrough and Chris Steele in 2019.
Tennessee (2017)
Warren molded Tennessee’s passing defenses into one of the stingiest in the SEC, allowing the second-fewest passing yards (1,950) and yards per game (161.7). The Volunteers pass efficiency defense (127.8) was good enough for seventh in the league.
The Volunteers were also one of just five SEC schools to return a kickoff for a touchdown in 2017.
North Carolina (2015-16)
Under Warren’s watch, UNC posted the 10th-best passing defense in the NCAA in 2016, allowing only 180.8 yards per game through the air.
In his first year in Chapel Hill, Warren played a major role for a North Carolina defense that allowed 14.5 fewer points from the previous season, the best improvement of any Power 5 program.
UNC also had the most improved pass defense in the country in both pass efficiency and yards per pass attempt. The Tar Heels led the ACC in interceptions, turnovers gained and passes defended while posting an 11-3 record and a berth in the ACC Championship Game.
The 2015 Tar Heels allowed only 11 passing touchdowns, the fourth fewest in the NCAA. Senior cornerback Des Lawrence earned third-team All-ACC honors.
Nebraska (2014)
Nebraska ranked fifth nationally in pass efficiency defense and 32nd in passing yards allowed under Warren’s tutelage in 2014. The Huskers ranked second nationally in completion percentage (48.5 pct.), 13th in yards per passing attempt (6.1) and 19th in touchdown passes (15).
Air Force (2005-13)
Prior to joining Nebraska, Warren began his coaching career at his alma mater, Air Force, where he spent nine seasons beginning in 2005.
He spent three seasons as secondary coach/recruiting coordinator, three seasons as co-defensive coordinator/secondary coach/recruiting coordinator before he was promoted to associate head coach/defensive coordinator in 2012.
In 2011, the Air Force pass defense ranked third in NCAA passing yards allowed at 166.8 yards per game and was second in 2010 by allowing 147.8 yards per game.
The 2009 Falcons defense ranked seventh nationally with 20 interceptions and led the nation in turnover margin. In addition, that 2009 defense ranked in the top 20 nationally in passing yards allowed (5th), total defense (11th) and pass efficiency defense (17th).
Background
Warren graduated from the Air Force Academy in 1999 with a bachelor’s degree in human factors engineering and earned his MBA from Georgia College and State University in 2003.
During his time at Air Force, Warren was a three-year letterman at defensive back for the Falcons, helping the program achieve consecutive 10-win seasons in 1997 and 1998, including a 12-1 record and an outright conference title in 1998.
Following his collegiate career, Warren performed his active service as a systems acquisitions manager at both Warner Robins Air Force Base in Georgia and Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.
Coaching History
| Seasons |
School/Team |
Title/Position Coached |
| 2018-Present |
Florida |
Cornerbacks |
| 2017 |
Tennessee |
Defensive Backs / Special Teams Coordinator |
| 2015-16 |
North Carolina |
Defensive Backs |
| 2014 |
Nebraska |
Defensive Backs |
| 2012-13 |
Air Force |
Associate Head Coach / Defensive Coordinator / Secondary Coach |
| 2008-11 |
Air Force |
Co-Defensive Coordinator / Secondary Coach / Recruiting Coordinator |
| 2005-07 |
Air Force |
Secondary Coach / Recruiting Coordinator |
Postseason History
| Season |
Bowl / Playoff Game |
Opponent |
Result |
| 2018 |
Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl (Florida) |
Michigan |
W, 41-15 |
| 2016 |
Sun Bowl (North Carolina) |
Stanford |
L, 25-23 |
| 2015 |
Russell Athletic Bowl (North Carolina) |
Baylor |
L, 49-38 |
| 2014 |
Holiday Bowl (Nebraska) |
USC |
L, 45-42 |
| 2012 |
Armed Forces Bowl (Air Force) |
Rice |
L, 33-14 |
| 2011 |
Military Bowl (Air Force) |
Toledo |
L, 42-41 |
| 2010 |
Independence Bowl (Air Force) |
Georgia Tech |
W, 14-7 |
| 2009 |
Armed Forces Bowl (Air Force) |
Houston |
W, 47-20 |
| 2008 |
Armed Forces Bowl (Air Force) |
Houston |
L, 34-28 |
| 2007 |
Armed Forces Bowl (Air Force) |
California |
L, 42-36 |
NFL Players (Round Drafted)
CB M.J. Stewart (2nd) – North Carolina ‘18 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
CB Rashaan Gaulden (3rd) – Tennessee ’18 – Carolina Panthers
S Nathan Gerry (5th) – Nebraska ’17 – Philadelphia Eagles
Personal Information
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
Education: Bachelor’s from Air Force, 1999
Wife: Jocelyn
Children: Jayree, Teya, Chase
