ATHENS, Georgia – In an apparent attempt to fill the most recent void on his coaching staff, Georgia coach Kirby Smart raided the staffs of two of the Bulldogs’ opponents. Just forty-five days were spent by James Coley as the wide receivers coach at South Carolina before Smart persuaded him to take a similar position at Georgia. Originally hired by Smart as a part of his initial staff in 2016, Coley, now 50, progressed through the ranks to become offensive coordinator before being demoted and joining Texas A&M for the 2019 season. According to the State newspaper, the terms of the contract state that Coleywill owe South Carolina a buyout of $450,000.
On Sunday, Smart hired Georgia Tech assistant coach Josh Crawford as running backs coach. Smart had interviewed Crawford for his receivers’ position last week but went back to him as a backfield coach after Dell McGee accepted Georgia State’s head coaching job.
Coley and his family are returning to Athens, and we are thrilled about it,” Smart said in a statement on Monday. “He is an amazing mentor and educator of young men. His prior experience working for our team will ensure a smooth transfer. Regarding Josh, I’ve had the privilege of watching his career develop over time and have always been impressed. He has earned this opportunity via his dedication and the notable influence he has had as a football coach in our state.”
The third and fourth assistant coaches that Smart purchased in the 2024 offseason are Coley and Crawford. He brought in Donte Williams from USC to take over as cornerbacks coach after Fran Brown retired and Travaris Robinson from Alabama to take Will Muschamp’s position as co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach. In December, Brown was named Syracuse’s head coach. Bryan McClendon, who left the Bulldogs after two seasons to take a position as receivers coach with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the NFL, is replaced by Coley. Coley had been employed by Texas A&M since 2020, but he was laid go following Jimbo Fisher’s dismissal as head coach.
