Scott Cochran revitalized the Georgia football special teams

When head coach Kirby Smart took over Georgia football in 2015, one of the first coaches he reached out to was legendary Alabama strength and conditioning coach Scott Cochran in an attempt to bring him to Athens.

Ultimately, Cochran declined the opportunity and opted to stay with the Crimson Tide, a move that helped him win two more national championships with the team.

In 2020, Smart finally lured the New Orleans native to Georgia to become the special teams’ coordinator. Cochran felt he was ready for an on-field coaching opportunity, but Alabama coach Nick Saban reportedly was not ready to give him that opportunity yet.

Cochran is well known for his high energy and animated personality, whether in the weight room or on the field.

Georgia football special teams coordinator Scott Cochran has played a big role over the last two seasons.

Players and coaches have praised him for his passion for football, and he was often called the “heart and soul” of Alabama football. One of the most well-known programs he and Nick Saban developed for the team was the Fourth Quarter Program during spring practice. It is an intense set of workouts that prepares players both physically and mentally for the challenges they will face on the gridiron.

This program is so rigorous that former Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa considered transferring because of it.

When he arrived at Georgia in 2020, his work was cut out for him. He would have to replace the 2019 Lou Groza award winner and beloved kicker Rodrigo Blankenship, who had made 27 field goals and was perfect on point after attempts. He also had to help develop young punter Jake Camarda.

In 2020, under the coaching of Cochran, Camarda averaged 45 yards per punt and won the 2020 SEC Special Teams Player of the Year award.

Former walk-on kicker Jack Podlesny was 13-for-17 on field goal attempts and converted every extra point. “Hot Pod” converted three FGs from 50+ yards out, and his most memorable kick was the 53-yard game-winner in the Peach Bowl against Cincinnati.

In 2021, the special teams continued to play a big role on the team. Camarda continued his great punting, and Podlesny turned in another solid season. Cochran did step away for part of the season as he dealt with some personal issues, leading to Will Muschamp taking over the on-field special teams coaching for a few weeks.

Georgia’s special teams also excelled in blocking kicks last year. In 2019, the team blocked just one kick all year. In 15 games last year, Georgia blocked five.

Perhaps the biggest play of the National Championship game we don’t talk much about was when Jalen Carter blocked a field goal in the third quarter. Georgia would score its first touchdown on the next series, giving them a 13-12 lead and momentum that would help them win the game.

With Podlesny’s kicking so far in his career, he will likely get a chance to kick field goals in the NFL. During the 2022 NFL Draft, Jake Camarda would be selected in the fourth round by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Camarda became Georgia’s first punter/kicker combo player in the draft since Blair Walsh back in 2012. Blankenship doesn’t punt.

Elite teams dominate every aspect of the game, not just on offense and defense. Since coming to Georgia from Alabama, Scott Cochran has helped the Dawgs’ special teams unit become a big asset for the team, both in scoring points and giving the team momentum during a game. Like his tenure at Alabama, Cochran has established himself as an invaluable member of this coaching staff.