Georgia may be in the market for a new offensive coordinator. DawgNation can confirm that Tennessee is hiring Georgia offensive coordinator Jim Chaney to the same position.
Chaney has been with Georgia since the start of the Kirby Smart era. DawgNation reported on Monday that Chaney had just completed his first year of a three-year deal. Georgia has not yet confirmed that Chaney is in fact leaving.
Georgia is also looking for a new defensive coordinator, as Mel Tucker left after the Alabama game to become the head coach at Colorado.
Chaney had previously been the offensive coordinator at Tennessee from 2009-12. Chaney has a very close relationship with Georgia offensive line coach Sam Pittman who is regarded as one of the best offensive line coaches in America in addition to being one of Georgia’s best recruiters. Former Georgia assistant Will Friend is the current offensive line coach at Tennessee.
Former Georgia defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt is the head coach Tennessee. Last season, Tennessee hired Georgia outside linebacker coach Kevin Sherrer to be the defensive coordinator for the Volunteers.
Georgia fans were not always fond of Chaney’s play-calling, as he was under constant criticism from fans. Georgia’s offense this year finished 14th in the country in points per game, as the Bulldogs averaged 37.9 points per game. Georgia has led the SEC in rushing in each of the past two seasons. The Bulldogs have also produced four 1,000-yard running backs in that time. The Georgia offense did improve every year in his tenure at Georgia.
As far as potential replacements, Georgia co-offensive coordinator James Coley would make a lot of sense. Coley has previous experience as he was the offensive coordinator at Miami. Georgia running backs coach Dell McGee was the interim coach at Georgia Southern and has the title of assistant head coach as well, but he has not served as an offensive coordinator.
Alabama and USC are also looking for offensive coordinators, though it has been reported that Alabama will promote Dan Enos to offensive coordinator. Smart did once try to hire Enos when he first got to Georgia and Enos also has a relationship with Pittman from their time at Arkansas.
Georgia went 11-3 this past season, but the Bulldogs scored just 21 points in a season-ending loss to Texas in the Sugar Bowl.
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