College football’s coaching carousel is getting wild. You’ve got GOATs like Bill Belichick possibly flipping the script, ditching the NFL for some college action, and then there’s Steve Sarkisian, turning down NFL offers to stick with Texas. It’s a crazy time. And just when you think you’ve seen it all, Kirby Smart’s throwing his own curveball into the mix.
Let’s face it, Georgia’s 2024 season was a rollercoaster. They snagged the SEC title, sure, but those three losses, especially that Sugar Bowl smackdown from Notre Dame, left a sour taste. Now, everyone’s wondering, ‘What’s next?’ Smart’s been pretty upfront about it, too. He straight up said, “We are a work in progress… We have a very young, inexperienced group.” And you know what? That ‘work in progress’ is starting to look pretty interesting.
Off the field, Smart’s been shaking things up big time. We’ve seen Scott Cochran, the special teams coordinator, and offensive analyst Darrell Dickey both stepping down. That leaves some big shoes to fill, and Smart’s wasted no time. He promoted Kirk Benedict to special teams coordinator, and in a statement, he said, “I want to thank Scott and Darrell for their contributions to Georgia football. We wish them all the best moving forward.” Classic coach speaks, but it’s clear he’s serious about moving on.
ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad
But that’s not the only coaching shift happening in Athens. There’s another major move making headlines, something that’s really adding some serious intrigue to Georgia’s evolving staff. We’re talking NFL-level brains coming into the fold. Smart is not just reloading; he is upgrading. It’s a bold move, especially when you consider how many college coaches are jumping ship to the pros. Smart’s going the other way, bringing that pro experience to the college game. You can tell he’s not just sitting back and accepting those three losses.
While change is in the air, Georgia is wasting no time. On Monday, Matt Zenitz dropped a major report, writing, “Georgia is targeting Phil Rauscher and John Lilly for roles on its staff.” So, if the Bulldogs land them, they’ll be adding a veteran coaching duo with deep college and NFL ties. Rauscher brings a wealth of pro experience, while Lilly knows Georgia well from his previous stint in Athens. Seems like Smart is reloading his staff with proven minds, setting the stage for the Bulldogs’ next big run.
Let’s be real; CFB welcomes Phil Rauscher with his 10 years of NFL expertise. Well, for the past three years, he’s been the offensive line coach and run game coordinator for the Jaguars. But now, he’s making his return to the collegiate ranks for the first time since his days as Cal Lutheran’s OC in 2014. However, before Jacksonville, Rauscher made his mark in the league with the Redskins, Broncos, and Vikings. So, his resume is stacked, and now, he may be set to bring that pro-level expertise to Georgia’s offensive front.
On the flip script, John Lilly knows his way around Athens. After spending the past few years at UNC as the TEs coach and run game coordinator, he might be on his way back to Georgia. However, Lilly previously coached the Bulldogs’ TEs from 2008 to 2015, leaving when Mark Richt exited the program. But now, with Georgia eyeing him for a return, Lilly’s experience and play-calling expertise could be a valuable addition. And if he rejoins the staff, it’ll be a homecoming with major impact.
Look, in 2025, Kirby Smart has been reshaping Georgia football. Well, he secured key transfers like Noah Thomas and Zachariah Branch to strengthen the offense. Then, he suspended WR Nitro Tuggle and OL Marques Easley after Tuggle’s arrest for reckless driving. On top of that, Smart has also emphasized high standards, voicing concerns over freshmen conditioning. And his moves show a commitment to maintaining Georgia’s dominance. Honestly, as the Bulldogs gear up for the season, Smart’s impact is clear.
Although Georgia didn’t claim the national title, but Kirby Smart made sure his coaching staff got the credit they deserved for a strong 2024 season.
ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad
Kirby Smart praises his coaching staff
Spring football is in full swing, and Georgia is already looking ahead to 2025. But Kirby Smart is still fielding criticism over his coaching staff’s role in what some call a disappointing 2024 season. However, in an interview with Josh Pate, Smart didn’t hold back. And he stated that he believes his staff delivered their best work ‘easily,’ despite a brutal schedule, key injuries, and unexpected setbacks. Through it all, the Bulldogs fought—and Smart isn’t letting the effort go unnoticed.
In his eyes, Georgia’s 2024 season was a masterclass in coaching. “Best coaching job we have done by far—100%,” Smart told CBS Sports’ Josh Pate. Moreover, he acknowledged the team wasn’t as dominant as in past years, but emphasized they faced “twice the schedule” of previous seasons. So, to the doubters, he had a clear message, stating, “I respect everyone’s opinion… but I know football.”
Kirby Smart didn’t shy away from the truth—Georgia’s 2024 season fell short of the program’s sky-high standards. Still, he found plenty to be proud of. “I was very pleased with what we got out of our team. And it was below the standard, statistically, in a lot of areas. But a lot of that had to do with the schedule we played,” said Smart. Here, you have to understand, despite the challenges, Georgia proved why they remain a powerhouse in CFB.
ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad
Now, let’s see how Georgia performs in 2025 with its new staff additions.