Pata, Gaitor To Join NFL Teams As Part Of Coaching Fellowship

A pair of FIU coaches are temporarily joining the NFL. Offensive line coach Edwin Pata is joining the Miami Dolphins, while cornerbacks coach Anthony Gaitor is joining the Jacksonville Jaguars. This is all part of the NFL Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship Program.

Designed as a tool to increase the number of full-time NFL minority coaches, all 32 teams participate in the coaching fellowship. This includes hiring, compensation, and coaching duties – all of which are administered by the teams themselves. Fellowships can take place during OTAs, minicamps, or Training Camps, and the length of the fellowship ranges from a few days to a few weeks.

Got another one of our coaches getting some NFL experience 🔥@CoachEdPata is headed down the street to the @MiamiDolphins this offseason to add to his bag 🧠💯 pic.twitter.com/8jlOd7tzaz

— FIU Football (@FIUFootball) May 19, 2025

Pata is the offensive line coach of the Panthers. He is entering his first season with FIU under head coach Willie Simmons. He was previously a graduate assistant at FIU from 2010 to 2013. Before his time here, he spent six years at the Miami Hurricanes, including last season as their offensive line coach.

Back in the big leagues 😎

Our guy @A_Gaitor is headed up the state to the @Jaguars to gain some NFL coaching experience this offseason 💯 pic.twitter.com/srPzAGvdXl

— FIU Football (@FIUFootball) May 19, 2025

Gaitor is entering his second year as the cornerbacks coach for FIU. He was a former player with the Panthers from 2007-10, being drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Last season, FIU’s secondary recorded a total of 11 interceptions – the 58th-highest total in FBS.