BREAKING NEWS: Georgia Football Confirms Another Managerial Contract Agreement For Wide Receiver Coach
Georgia Football welcomes a fresh face to its coaching staff as James Coley steps in as the new wide receiver coach for the Dawgs in 2024. Coley returns for his second tenure with Georgia, having previously served as the wideout coach from 2016 to 2019, including a stint as offensive coordinator in 2019.
Georgia is expected to hire James Coley as wide receivers coach, sources tell @247sports.
Coley, who was previously at Georgia from 2016-19, had recently accepted a job at South Carolina but is now instead on the verge of heading back to Athens. Worked at Texas A&M the last… pic.twitter.com/dC3mPILPPm
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) February 24, 2024
Coley departed from the Dawgs to join Texas A&M from 2020 to 2023 before his recent return. Initially slated to become South Carolina’s wideout coach, he ultimately joined Georgia’s staff. The announcement stirred discontent among fans, particularly evident on Twitter, although the significance of this reaction may vary. While I, too, felt a twinge of annoyance upon seeing the news on Twitter this afternoon, it’s widely understood that Coley’s re-hiring is primarily motivated by his prowess in recruiting.
Coley’s reputation as an outstanding recruiter in South Florida precedes him, evidenced by his successful recruitment of notable players such as James Cook, Tyson Campbell, and Tyrique Stevenson to Georgia. His recruitment efforts were instrumental in securing Lawrence Cager, addressing the team’s receiver needs at a crucial juncture. Kirby Smart’s consistent emphasis on recruiting as a top priority aligns well with Coley’s track record and likely played a significant role in his hiring decision.
James Coley was the LAST UGA COACH TO SECURE A FIVE STAR RECEIVER AT GEORGIA:
George Pickens🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Players James Coley recruited to Georgia:
Tyson Campbell
Isaiah Wilson
Georgia Pickens (The last Five star WR we landed)
Dom Blaylock
Tyrique Stevenson
James Cook
Kearis… pic.twitter.com/IKZLhBl2be— 🚫 LEE Ring (@HBTFD1) February 24, 2024
Despite lingering dissatisfaction among fans, including yourself, stemming from Coley’s tenure as offensive coordinator in 2019, Kirby Smart’s recent coaching hires underscore his unwavering commitment to recruiting as the cornerstone of Georgia’s success. The appointments of T-Rob and Coley serve as a clear indication of Smart’s continued prioritization of recruiting talent. Therefore, it shouldn’t come as a surprise if the Dawgs secure more recruits from South Florida in the upcoming recruiting cycles, further bolstering the team’s roster and competitiveness.
With Dell McGee’s departure to Georgia State, Kirby Smart faces the task of filling one more coaching position before spring practice commences in March. While Coley’s hiring is generally regarded as a positive move, there’s relief that he wasn’t appointed as the offensive coordinator. However, the challenge lies in finding another exceptional recruiter to join the staff, considering that many top recruiters are already part of Kirby Smart’s team at Georgia.