Georgia coach Kirby Smart has pulled off yet another big coaching hire in just two months.
First, it was the immediate hire of former Ole Miss head coach Matt Luke to replace O-Line coach Sam Pittman, and now, it's a former NFL offensive coordinator.
Smart officially announced former Cleveland Browns' offensive coordinator, Todd Monken, will take over the Bulldogs' play-calling duties in 2020. He takes over for former offensive coordinator James Coley, who will remain on staff and serve as assistant head coach.
“We are excited to add Todd to our staff,” Smart said. “He has a history of establishing explosive offenses at each and every stop in his impressive career in both the National Football League and at major college football programs.”
Smart played the coach-speak game all too well about his lackluster offense throughout the 2019 campaign.
Ranking 49th in scoring offense last season, the addition of grad-transfer quarterback Jamie Newton, a top-3 recruiting class and an offensive coordinator that knows how to construct an explosive offense, the Bulldogs have put themselves in a position to drastically improve the offensive production.
Monken led a Browns offense that included former Bulldog standout Nick Chubb this season. Chubb was second in the NFL with 1,494 yards on 298 carries (5.0 yards/carry) and eight touchdowns.
HIS OFFENSE IS EXPLOSIVE
In 2018, Tampa Bay finished third in total offense under his direction. Prior to that, as head coach at Southern Miss, Monken took the Eagles from 0-12 to 9-5 in his last season. He also led one of the most explosive offenses at Oklahoma State. During his time at Oklahoma State as OC, the team set school season records for total offensive yards, passing yards, completion percentage, points scored (48.7 points per game in 2011 and 45.7 in 2012) and passing touchdowns.
SOCIAL MEDIA REACTION
Welcome to Athens, Coach Monken‼️#GoDawgs pic.twitter.com/6K3Ip7jwvq
— Georgia Football (@GeorgiaFootball) January 17, 2020
Between Monken’s approach and QB Jamie Newman coming over from WF-exactly what Kirby and the Dawgs Offense needed. https://t.co/KvzcCa4X9z
— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) January 17, 2020
Kirby Smart continues to push Georgia's offense in the right direction this offseason.
— SEC Mike (@MichaelWBratton) January 17, 2020
Jamie Newman was a great pickup but he would not have succeeded in last year's offense based on what I've seen from him. Todd Monken's hire shows Smart willing to evolve his offense in 2020.
Tampa led the NFL in passing in 2018 w/ Todd Monken as OC.
— SEC Mike (@MichaelWBratton) January 17, 2020
He inherited #112 scoring offense at Southern Miss, left them as #13 nationally.
Okla St ranked #2 & #3 nationally in scoring under Monken. https://t.co/OWHshbUK5K
#Georgia is hiring Todd Monken as offensive coordinator, sources tell @Mark_Schlabach. This has been in the works for a while but is now happening. Monken has been #Browns OC. Important move for Kirby Smart and the Dawgs. #UGA
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) January 17, 2020
KIRBY MADE THE MOVE?
It's obvious Smart has put a lot of thought into his offense since the SEC Championship loss to LSU. He found the answer to the offensive problems in the NFL. Monken is not only an NFL coach, but he has plenty of experience in the college ranks, which gives the program a double-shot of experience. The other good part about the hire is keeping Coley on staff, even if it's only for a short time. Why? Coley is a fantastic recruiter and with National Signing Day next month, it keeps Coley's recruits from looking elsewhere, hopefully. Whatever happens from here on out, Smart gets five stars on his recruitment of Monken.
