Georgia hired four new defensive assistant coaches in a three-week period from mid-January to early February. As would be expected, the Bulldogs talked to several more candidates than that.
According to documents obtained by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution from UGA in compliance with a freedom of information request, at least four other candidates came to Athens to interview for vacant positions. Among the candidates were former UGA and Indiana assistant Jon Fabris, former FSU assistant Jody Allen, Miles College head coach Reginald Ruffin and Camden County High School defensive coordinator Byron Slack.
Georgia coach Mark Richt hired Jeremy Pruitt as defensive coordinator on Jan. 14, Kevin Sherrer as outside linebackers/nickelbacks coach on Jan. 22, Tracy Rocker as defensive line coach on Jan. 25 and Mike Ekeler as inside linebackers coach and co-special teams coordinator on Feb. 6.
Records indicate Pruitt came in on Jan. 13, Ruffin and Slack on Jan. 18, Rocker on Jan. 22, Allen and Fabris on Jan. 26 and Ekeler on Jan. 31. Richt talked to dozens of candidates on the phone.
The Bulldogs ordered in $60 worth of barbecue from the “Butt Hutt” during Ekeler’s interview, documents show.
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