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Odell Thurman returns to Georgia, lands role on the coaching staff
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Ex-UGA and Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Odell Thurman is returning to Athens as a strength and conditioning intern.
It was announced Monday that Thurman is indeed coming home as a member of Kirby Smart’s coaching staff. It is initially unclear what exact duties Thurman will assist with, but fans will be excited to have a former standout on the coaching staff.
Smart shared the following remarks on the hiring.
“Odell Thurman has joined our staff as an intern,” Smart said Monday during his press conference. “We’re only allowed to have five coaches, so he’s allowed to do what an intern does and we’re glad to have Odell helping out in the weight room assisting in the roles that he’s allowed to.”
Thurman’s best season at UGA came in 2003 when he was named to the All-SEC team was a semi-finalist for the Dick Butkus Award. He opted for the NFL draft after his junior season. Thurman had a fantastic rookie season before off-field personal issues led to a suspension and his release by the Bengals.
Hopefully Thurman has put his personal issues behind him and he can contribute as a part of UGA’s coaching staff for years to come.
Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.
