ATHENS — The man who was undefeated as Georgia’s offensive play-caller is headed to the NFL.
John Lilly, who stepped in as Georgia’s offensive coordinator in each of the past two bowl games, has been hired by the Los Angeles Rams as their tight ends coach, someone familiar with the situation confirmed.
The news means Lilly will re-join Todd Gurley, the star tailback and NFL rookie of the year – who was sitting courtside at Georgia’s basketball game against Florida on Tuesday night. The Rams also have former Georgia star linebacker Alec Ogletree. And one of his tight ends will be Jared Cook, the former South Carolina tight end who is from the Atlanta area.
Lilly called plays for Georgia in the 24-17 win over Penn State in the TaxSlayer Bowl, as well as the prior season’s rout of Louisville in the Belk Bowl.
Lilly’s entire coaching career has been at the college level. He served as Georgia’s tight ends coach from 2008 until this past season, when he was not retained by new head coach Kirby Smart. Prior to Georgia he worked at Florida State.
The Rams have relocated to Los Angeles from St. Louis for the 2016 seasons. They’re the same organization that Brian Schottenheimer left as offensive coordinator to come to Georgia last year, a move that proved fateful for both parties.