Gerald Chatman leads on the football field, while his wife, Lauren, builds a successful career in healthcare.
Highlights
- Gerald Chatman has rapidly advanced through coaching ranks, working at both collegiate and NFL levels, with experience at multiple universities and professional teams like the Cincinnati Bengals.
- Lauren Chatman balances a demanding career as an ICU nurse while supporting their family through multiple relocations necessitated by Gerald’s coaching career.
- The Chatmans have built a family of four children (Kinley, Amelia, Maya, and Tyson) while managing dual high-pressure careers in football coaching and critical care nursing.
Gerald Chatman has established himself as a respected figure in the football coaching world, currently serving as the defensive line coach at the University of Florida.
Hired in December 2023, Chatman quickly made an impact on the Gators’ defensive unit, helping guide the team to an impressive 8-5 record in 2024, including victories over ranked opponents LSU and Ole Miss.
Prior to joining Florida, Chatman’s coaching journey took him through various collegiate and professional programs.
He served at Tulane University as defensive line coach in 2023, where his unit ranked eighth nationally in rush defense.
His experience includes a stint as defensive coordinator at the University of Colorado and time as a defensive line analyst at LSU.
Chatman’s NFL experience stands out in his resume, having spent the 2019 and 2020 seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals as a defensive assistant.
He also gained valuable experience through the Bill Walsh NFL Minority Coaching Fellowship program with the Green Bay Packers, Denver Broncos, and Bengals.
The 36-year-old Wisconsin native began his coaching career at Ball State University as a graduate assistant after playing defensive end and tackle at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh from 2006-2010.
His coaching philosophy has consistently produced results, developing multiple players who advanced to the NFL, including first-round pick Myles Garrett during his time at Texas A&M.
Lauren Chatman Excels As A Critical Care Nurse While Supporting Her Husband’s Coaching Career
While Gerald Chatman commands attention on the football field, his wife Lauren Hoffmann Chatman is building a remarkable career in healthcare.
Lauren serves as a Critical Care Registered Nurse in the Intensive Care Unit at IU Health Methodist Hospital, where she provides essential care to patients in their most vulnerable moments.
Originally from Dalton, Wisconsin, Lauren’s dedication to nursing parallels her husband’s commitment to coaching.
The couple’s love story culminated in marriage on July 11, 2015, beginning a partnership that has weathered the unique challenges of both the coaching and medical professions.
Together, Lauren and Gerald have built a loving family of four children: 7-year-old Kinley, 4-year-old Amelia, 2-year-old Maya, and 1-year-old Tyson.
Their relationship has endured multiple relocations as Gerald’s career advanced through various programs across the country.
Balancing the demands of raising four young children while managing two high-pressure careers demonstrates the strength of their partnership.
Lauren’s role extends beyond her professional responsibilities. As the wife of a coach whose career path requires frequent moves across the country, she provides stability for their growing family.
From Cincinnati to Baton Rouge, Colorado to Gainesville, Lauren has adapted to new communities while maintaining her nursing career and supporting her husband’s coaching aspirations.
The challenges of a coach’s wife are unique. Football seasons demand long hours away from family, with game days, practice sessions, recruitment trips, and video analysis consuming much of Gerald’s time.
Throughout these demands, Lauren maintains the family’s foundation while excelling in her own high-stress profession.
Additional Information
- Before pursuing coaching full-time, Gerald Chatman participated in the NFL-NCAA Coaches Academy in 2015, a program designed to develop and prepare minority coaches for career advancement.
- During his time at Tennessee State University (2017-2018), Chatman helped coach Chris Rowland to become the Ohio Valley Conference Special Teams Player of the Year.
- Gerald earned both his bachelor’s degree in Educational Leadership and Human Service from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and later completed a master’s degree in Adult and Community Education from Ball State University.
