Turns out there is going to be a complete rebuild of Georgia’s defense after all.
In the hours following Georgia’s introduction of new defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt, two more assistants have apparently decided to leave. Chris Wilson, the Bulldogs’ defensive line coach for the past year, has accepted a position on the staff at Southern Cal, two persons familiar with Wilson’s decision told The Atlanta Journal-Constution.
Meanwhile, inside linebackers coach Kirk Olivadotti is returning to work for the NFL’s Washington Redskins, according to several published reports, citing sources. He will also coach inside linebackers for the Redskins, according to The Washington Post.
Messages to the two coaches have not been returned.
That means that Pruitt, who left national champion Florida State to take over the Bulldogs’ defense, will be starting from scratch. Defensive coordinator Todd Grantham took the same job at Louisville and defensive backs coach Scott Lakatos resigned this past Thursday.
Both Olivadotti and Wilson had expressed interest in succeeding Grantham, but neither got the chance. Head coach Mark Richt announced the hiring of Pruitt 48 hours after accepting Grantham’s resignation. Richt said at Wednesday’s news conference he hoped both Wilson and Olivadotti would return, “if they want to.”
The mass exodus comes at the end of a season in which Georgia finished in the bottom half of the SEC in almost every defensive category except for rush defense.
Pruitt will coach defensive backs, so now he’s in the market for a defensive line coach, an inside linebackers coach and an outside linebackers coach.
This story will be updated when more details come available.
About the Author
