Smart hires ex-NFL coordinator to lead Georgia offense

Georgia coach Kirby Smart added Todd Monken to lead the Bulldogs’ offense, the school announced Friday afternoon.

Monken, who has been the offensive coordinator for two NFL teams, will serve as UGA’s offensive coordinator.

“We are excited to add Todd to our staff,” Smart said in a statement. “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.”

Georgia also announced that James Coley will remain on the UGA staff as assistant head coach. His responsibilities on the staff were not revealed.

UGASports.com first reported the news of Monken’s hire, and ESPN was the first to report that he will serve as OC for the Bulldogs.

Monken, 53, was offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2016-18 and for the Cleveland Browns this season.

In Monken’s final season with Tampa Bay, the Bucs led the NFL in passing offense and finished third in total offense.

One of the stalwarts of the Browns’ offense this season is former Bulldogs running back Nick Chubb. He rushed for 1,494 yards this season on 298 carries, an average of 5.0 yards per carry.

Monken was head coach at Southern Mississippi from 2013-15. He inherited a team that was 0-12 in 2012, but was 9-5 in Monken’s final season.

Known for his so-called “Air Raid Offense,” Monken was offensive coordinator at Oklahoma State in 2011 and 2012. The Cowboys’ offense set five single-season records: points scored, total yards, passing yards, passing touchdowns and completion percentage.

Quarterback Brandon Weeden and wide receiver Justin Blackmon were key players on thoe 2011 Oklahoma State team, and each was selected in the first round of the 2012 NFL draft.

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