The Florida Gators Associate Head Coach, Jabbar Juluke, and his wife, Denise Smith Juluke, a passionate social worker, are raising three children together.
Jabbar Juluke is currently in the news after facing a suspension for three games due to his involvement in a pregame altercation before the Gators’ game against LSU.
While coaches are responsible for de-escalating tense situations, Juluke failed to do so. Furthermore, a video surfaced on the internet that showed Juluke making contact with LSU safety Joel Rogers.
Juluke has issued a public apology, expressing his most profound regret for his unprofessional behavior and promising to learn from the incident.
Jabbar Juluke’s Wife, Denise Smith, Is Truly An Inspiring Figure In His Life!
Born on April 23, 1972, Jabbar Juluke is the Associate Head Coach and Running Backs Coach of the Florida Gators football team.
Juluke’s coaching expertise is rooted in his own playing career, during which he played safety at Southern University.
He helped the team bag the Black National Championship in 1993. Moreover, he also lettered in both football and basketball, showcasing his athletic versatility.
After his playing days, Juluke began shaping young talent as the Defensive Coordinator at Frederick Douglass High School from 1996 to 1998.
Over the years, he honed his skills coaching high school players.
Then, in 2013, Juluke transitioned to college coaching, joining Louisiana Tech as the Running Backs Coach.
Later, he also contributed his expertise at LSU and Texas Tech before taking on his current role with the Gators.
Under his guidance, players like Jadan Baugh, Montrell Johnson, and Ja’Kobi Jackson have flourished and achieved remarkable success on the field.
Behind every great coach is a support system, and Juluke’s wife, Denise Smith Juluke, has been a steadfast partner throughout his journey, helping him build not just a career but a lasting legacy.
Together, the couple is raising three children: Jahmad, Jamari, and their teenage child, Dyrius Smith. In 2019, Denise was diagnosed with aggressive Stage 3 breast cancer, but she fiercely and gracefully overcame that hurdle.
There are many videos of Denise Smith talking about her breast cancer journey with her husband, Jabbar, where she also tries to create awareness and solidarity among other cancer patients and survivors.
Her courageous journey has been a testament to her resilience, hope, and determination.
Hence, on June 29, 2024, she modeled in the Blooming in Shade of Pink Fundraising Gala at the Hilton University of Florida Conference.
According to her LinkedIn, Denise is a social worker at VITAS Healthcare. She completed her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Social work from Southern University at New Orleans.
She is an experienced education and student support professional with over 25 years of expertise spanning school counseling, academic advising, admissions, social work, and student services.
She served as Admissions Officer at the University of Florida (2022–2024) and as Academic Advisor at Madison Preparatory Academy. She also worked as a Mental Health Professional and School Social Worker.
Furthermore, she also worked as a housing counselor and coordinator. In 2023, Denise completed doctoral studies at Capella University.
Therefore, Denise’s courage, dedication, and passion for social work have truly inspired Jabbar. While his coaching profession is quite demanding and strenuous, Denise’s warmth and maturity ground him. He often shares glimpses of his life with his wife and family on social media.
Additional Information
- Jabbar Juluke earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology from Southern University in 1999.
- Besides Frederick Douglass, Juluke coached at many high schools, such as Brother Martin, O.P. Walker, and St. Augustine High Schools, in various roles.
- Some sources have claimed that his net worth is around $1-3 million.
