Tracy Rocker will be back to coach the defensive line another season for the Georgia Bulldogs.
Some of Rocker’s players hinted that was the case recently, and then a person with direct knowledge of the situation confirmed later Monday night.
On Tuesday, Kevin Sherrer, who was in charge of outside linebackers. UGA issued a press release saying he would remain on staff.
With Rocker’s spot solidifed, new coach Kirby Smart has now secured two-thirds of his first Georgia coaching staff.
To date, Kirby Smart has announced only the addition of three new coaches: offensive coordinator Jim Chaney, offensive line coach Sam Pittman and defensive assistant Glenn Schumann. But in addition to Rocker, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution has been able to confirm that running backs coach Thomas Brown and outside linebackers coach Kevin Sherrer are also being retained by Smart from coach Mark Richt’s previous staff. Sherrer is serving the Bulldogs as defensive coordinator for the TaxSlayer Bowl.
Rocker, 49, came UGA in 2014 after three years in the NFL as defensive line coach for the Tennessee Titans. He had previous SEC stints at Auburn, Arkansas and Mississippi.
Rocker has proven to be deft recruiter in his short time with the Bulldogs. He is the primary contact for elite defensive line targets Derrick Brown and Michail Carter. And Rocker was instrumental in Georgia landing 5-star defensive tackle Trent Thompson in last year’s class.
“He’s not going anywhere,” senior defensive tackle James DeLoach said Monday “I really think Coach Rocker bleeds the red and black. He’s really embraced this program and has really brought God, like me, along with him. I really think he passionately wants to stay.”
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