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Quickly finding a reliable offensive coordinator following his hire in December was a considerably more precarious task for new Georgia coach Kirby Smart than for perhaps most new hires.
Not only did Smart need to find an offensive mind who matched his overall coaching philosophy, but he needed an experienced hand with enough gravitas to keep blue-chip quarterback prospect Jacob Eason in the fold following the dismissal of former coach Mark Richt. Eason, a former five-star recruit, was especially close to Richt and seriously considered reneging on his commitment to the Dawgs following the coaching change.
Smart, the longtime former Alabama defensive coordinator, moved quickly and decisively. He found his man in Jim Chaney, and Eason was sold as well.
The process underscored both the considerable transition going on in Athens, as well as the growing importance and increased visibility of both offensive and defensive coordinators both tactically and strategically in major college football. The stability needed at those positions has been lacking at Georgia in recent years, but Smart’s arrival could change that.
What will be new in 2016?
The Dawgs will feature virtually an entirely new coaching staff from last year, starting with Smart’s return to his alma mater. Associate head coach/defensive line coach Tracy Rocker and outside linebackers coach Kevin Sherrer are the only holdovers from the Richt regime, meaning they’ll all need time to get to better know one another and their players because there are a lot of new faces in new places.
New on offense in 2016
Chaney, who arrived after spending the previous season in the same position at Pittsburgh, becomes Georgia’s third offensive coordinator in as many years, following Mike Bobo (2014) and the ill-suited Brian Schottenheimer (2015).
A 30-year veteran of the NFL, the SEC, the ACC and the Big Ten, Chaney spent two highly successful seasons (2013-14) as Arkansas’ offensive coordinator, helping the Razorbacks average 406 yards and 31.9 points per game in 2014 with two 1,000-yard rushers and a 2,000-yard passer. He previously served in the same capacity at Tennessee (2009-12), Purdue (1997-2005, where he helped develop Drew Brees) and Cal State Fullerton (1988-92).
Offensive balance and effective use of his tight ends have long been staples of every Chaney offense, so he should feel right at home with the array of offensive talent he inherits at Georgia. But how he develops Eason and his plan to gradually work him into the lineup will be his top priority.
New on defense in 2016
New coordinator Mel Tucker followed Smart from Alabama.
Tucker comes to UGA with 10 years of NFL coaching experience – including seven as a coordinator – and eight years of college experience as well. He even spent five games of the 2011 season as the interim head coach for the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars.
Tucker, who will also coach the team’s defensive backs, succeeds Jeremy Pruitt, the defensive coordinator for the previous two seasons who returned to Alabama.
Tucker is credited for bringing added toughness to Alabama’s secondary and figures to bring his aggressive style with him. He will call the defensive plays on game days, even though Smart also comes with a defensive background, but you can bet that both men will expect everybody to be ready to hit and make plays. Tucker becomes Georgia’s third defensive coordinator in the past four years, following Todd Grantham (2010-13) and Pruitt (2014-15).
Better/Worse in 2016
Getting the talent to Athens has never been a problem, but stability on the coaching staff – especially with the two coordinators – has been lacking in recent years and it has affected performance on the field. Allowing players to become familiar with their coaches and their systems is imperative for consistent play in the fall. Smart appears to have landed a pair of gems in Chaney and Tucker, but it may take some time for it all to come together. But there’s no question the Dawgs look as if they are definitely headed in the right direction.
John Hollis is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers Georgia and Florida.
