Georgia football is now on the market for a new offensive. Line coach, as Matt Luke, announced he would step down from the position.
The Dawgs will have to hire their fourth assistant coach this offseason, and it isn’t even the end of February. While the coaching turnover isn’t fun to witness, head coach Kirby Smart has this one handled.
Smart could follow the younger route as he did with the new linebackers coach, or he could find someone who has a lot of experience. The offensive line is a challenging position to coach, and unless you played the part, it could be demanding. The right hire is key for the future of this program.
Not to mention, it’s important to find someone that is a solid recruiter, too, because this is one position that is crucial in landing talented players each year.
This hiring process will likely be a quick one for Smart because spring ball starts in a couple of weeks, so it’ll be better to have someone there getting acquainted with the program.
Georgia football should consider these three coaches for the vacancy.
Offensive line assistant coach Eddie Gordon is still on staff, and he could be a long shot for the Dawgs. Another name that seems to be circling in the rumor mill is Will Friend, who has ties to Mike Bobo and other assistant coaches.
A Sam Pittman product in Cody Kennedy is another name the Dawgs could consider. He was at Georgia with Pittman, but he may want to stay where he is now. These three coaches aren’t out of the race but may not be the first choice.
Another name that could help the Dawgs with the development is former Ohio State offensive line coach Greg Studrawa, a veteran coach who has one of the most impressive resumes. He is currently available after getting fired, but don’t let that deter anyone, he can flat out coach this position, as he has plenty of All-Americans under his belt.
These three guys are the ones we think would make excellent fits for the Georgia football offensive line coach. Plus, it helps the Dawgs have plenty of money to work with to convince the right hire to come to Athens.
Alex Atkins, Florida State offensive line coach/offensive coordinator
The biggest longshot on this list has to be Florida State offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Alex Atkins. If he didn’t get promoted back in December, he would be a serious option, but it could be hard to pull Atkins away from Tallahassee.
Atkins is a young coach that has worked hard to get where he is at FSU. Within three years, he went from just the offensive line coach to be the coordinator, so that should tell you what kind of man he is.
While it’s been a challenge at FSU, which required a lot of tweaking, Atkins has 10 games where the offense rushed for at least 200 yards. The Seminoles have seen 14 different starting offensive line combinations in 21 games, but they are still finding ways to put up numbers.
Atkins already has two Freshmen All-Americans and two all-conference players under his belt, so developing is a strength. He has also done a great job on the recruiting front picking up guys in the last two years to help build the offensive line he wants.
However, he did earn a raise back in August before taking the promotion, increasing his salary from $500,000 initially to $575,000 in 2021 and $625,000 in 2022.
It isn’t sure if there was another one with the offensive coordinator position, but the Dawgs maybe be able to offer him more to be the offensive line coach. While it would somewhat be a lower position than an offensive coordinator, he could take the opportunity.
Atkins is unlikely, though, but it is a name that continues to be on the shortlist.
Nick Jones, Los Angeles Rams offensive assistant coach
A coach Georgia football could bring in from the NFL is Nick Jones, a former Dawg and current assistant coach for the Los Angeles Rams. Georgia isn’t afraid to look toward an alumnus to fill a coaching role, and Jones could be the missing puzzle piece.
He played at Georgia from 2003 to 2006 as the center. Jones was second-team All-SEC, co-captain in 2006, and earned many other awards in Athens.
Jones played in the league for a little while but turned to coach in 2012 as he joined Coastal Carolina’s staff and was there for seven years. Most recently, he has spent the last two seasons in the NFL.
His first year was in 2020, where he spent it as a Diversity Coaching Fellow with the Atlanta Falcons offensive line. Then he took the job with the Rams and now has a Super Bowl ring.
Jones may be young, but those seven seasons with Coastal Carolina and the other college experience he got could be enough to give him a chance to coach the offensive line. He knows what it takes to play at an SEC school, which could be beneficial on the recruiting trail.
His inexperience could benefit him as Jones would be willing to learn from the other coaches at Georgia. Not to mention, that young card could be what head coach Kirby Smart wants at this position. Some rumors suggest he wants an older guy, but who knows, and Smart could take a risk on him.
It would be a bold decision, but Jones is an intriguing candidate.
Stacy Searels, University of North Carolina offensive line coach
Another familiar face on this list is former Georgia football and current North Carolina offensive line coach Stacy Searels. Head coach Kirby Smart has already proven that he isn’t afraid to bring back a coach to Athens if he feels like it’ll benefit the team, and Searels would be one of those.
He has 30 years of coaching experience, including time as Georgia’s offensive line coach and run game coordinator from 2007 to 2010.
Georgia’s offensive line saw some of its best units during Searels’ time in Athens, as they ranked in the top-25 more than once for fewest sacks allowed. He was responsible for Ben Jones, who is still kicking butt in the NFL, along with countless other players he recruited.
Searels was a force at Georgia and could come in with the current line and do wonders with them. He has been with Mack Brown at North Carolina for the past three seasons, as he left Georgia to coach at Texas with Brown from 2011-13.
He has 30 years of coaching experience, and if Smart wants a veteran to run his offensive line, it should be Searels.
Georgia will likely make a quick decision in hiring an offensive line coach, but these are three names we think would make great choices. There are others out there, and as things unfold, we will continue to update the situation. Smart knows this could be the most important hire he makes this offseason, so it should be a good one.