Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
By Matt Moscona
Florida associate head coach Jabbar Juluke has been suspended three games for his role in a pregame scuffle between LSU and Florida players prior to Saturday night’s game.
Video from the ABC telecast shows Juluke slapping Tiger safety Joel Rogers escalating the verbal altercation to physical.
Pregame video from ESPN/ABC shows Florida assistant coach Jabbar Juluke slapping LSU safety Joel Rogers before Saturday’s game.
Juluke has been suspended three games by the school and SEC. pic.twitter.com/PTLqUUPP22
— 104.5 ESPN (@1045espn) September 17, 2025
“Jabbar Juluke’s conduct during the pregame altercation reflects behavior that is unacceptable and not aligned with the standards of the Southeastern Conference,” said SEC commissioner Greg Sankey. “Coaches are expected to be leaders and to de-escalate tense situations, and that did not happen in this circumstance. This suspension is appropriate, and any future misconduct by Jabbar Juluke will result in more severe disciplinary action.”
SEC suspends former LSU assistant and current Florida running backs coach Jabbar Juluke for his part in the pregame dust up.
Sankey – “Coaches are expected to be leaders and to de-escalate tense situations, and that did not happen in this circumstance.” pic.twitter.com/L0EpsL40de
— Michael Cauble (@Cauble) September 17, 2025
1 hour and 25 minutes til kickoff and we already have a flag for a pregame skirmish
Student section is LOUD early. 😤😤😤#LSU #GeauxTigers #BeatFlorida pic.twitter.com/1nR5BtNrP5
— 104.5 ESPN (@1045espn) September 13, 2025
“I, first, would like to apologize to both Florida and LSU universities, their teams, staff and fans. I also sincerely apologize to the young athlete and his family. On Saturday, I reacted in a manner I’m not proud of. There’s no excuse for my behavior and I take full responsibility for my actions. In this game, emotional situations occur and bad reactions happen. I regret my reaction and commit to using this moment to strengthen my emotional intelligence. I know more is expected of us as coaches, and I commit to living up to that expectation. I believe growth is in ownership and learning from the good and the bad. I intend to use this situation as a teachable moment, not only for myself, but for those I impact. Again, I offer my sincerest apologies to both institutions and the staffs and families involved.”
Juluke is a New Orleans native who spent nearly two decades as a high school coach in the city before joining Louisiana Tech’s staff in 2013. He spent one season as the LSU running backs coach in 2016. After joining the Texas Tech staff in 2017, Billy Napier hired Juluke at Louisiana-Lafayette in 2018. Juluke followed Napier to Gainesville in 2022.
“Coach Juluke’s actions prior to our game against LSU are not up to the standard of our program,” said Napier.
“Coach Juluke is a man of character and has taken full responsibility for his actions. I believe Coach Juluke will learn from this experience and be better for it.”
LSU beat Florida, 20-10, Saturday night, dropping the Gators to 1-2 on the season. Juluke will miss the team’s next three games at Miami, versus Texas and at Texas A&M.
“Jabbar has consistently been an upstanding member of our staff, and I commend him for accepting responsibility in this situation,” said Florida AD Scott Stricklin. “We will continue to support him as he works to meet the high standards we set for our program.”
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