By james art 
Yusuf Shakir thinks he’s in an ideal position as an assistant football operations at the University of Florida.
“I get so much experience as a coach by not coaching,” Shakir said.
“I enjoy the time when I am learning and progressing. I miss coaching. … but sometimes in life, life takes you on different paths.”
Shakir, 47, a former Lincoln High player who led his alma mater to the 2010 Class 4A state title as head coach. and also coached at Manatee and Gibbs High, joined UF coach Billy Napier’s staff in 2022.
Shakir was one of five former FHSAA head coaches Napier hired, he said, to have “a pulse on this landscape.”
Yussuf Shakir is a familiar face to Tallahassee soccer fans
Big Bend football fans familiar with Shakir likely spotted him shadowing Napier on the Gators’ sideline in UF’s win over Florida State last November at Doak Campbell Stadium.
Shakir graphs the games and is available to immediately answer Napier’s questions, which may include stats, penalties and trends.
“You have to be prepared and consistent about the facts, not the feelings,” Shakir said.
“It was a great experience processing the game for me.”
Shakir’s love of the game began as a youth in Frenchtown on Copeland Street, where he said he learned about “competition and competitiveness.”
He grew up playing football at FAMU and FSU and was an All-American linebacker at Lincoln as well under coach David Wilson.
After college careers at Wisconsin and Western Illinois, Shakir turned to coaching.
He spent six seasons as an assistant coach at Lincoln, was hired as the head coach at Gibbs High School in St. Petersburg, and then returned to Lincoln two years later as its head coach.
Yusuf Shakir of Lincoln left the program to pursue other career opportunities
Shakir resigned in 2017. after eight seasons punctuated by a state title, a state runner-up finish and eight district titles to seek other opportunities.
That included four seasons at Manatee, where he led the program to an 8-2 record and a Class 7A semifinal appearance his senior year; one year at Florida A&M, where he was assistant to the dean of education and earned a master’s degree; and at UF.
Shakir also helps serve as a liaison between the Gators’ multiple football departments.
“Each department has its own focus, but you want to make sure that each department works well with each other,” Shakir explained. “Everyone still has to work together to succeed.”
While there may be a time when Shakir is back on the sidelines as a head coach, he’s making the most of his opportunity at UF.
“I really enjoy working with coach Nape (Napier),” Shakir said.
“He’s very detailed, very organized. It (football) has changed so much since I played and started coaching. The personnel department (in college) is getting closer and closer to the NFL model. But the NFL shouldn’t be recruiting (players). There are a lot of people and players to appreciate.”