ATHENS — Georgia coach Kirby Smart hinted at offseason changes, and one of them took place when Scott Fountain agreed to become a member of Sam Pittman’s Arkansas coaching staff.
The move comes after weeks of speculation that Smart could trigger some coaching changes.
Fountain had served on the Bulldogs’ on-field staff the past two seasons after working as the special teams analyst during the 2017 season. He will also coach special teams at Arkansas, per a 247Sports report.
Smart is expected to add another assistant with both on-field coaching and recruiting prowess.
Georgia has proven a popular destination for elite coaches, with former Ole Miss head coach Matt Luke most recently joining the Bulldogs’ staff to replace Pittman.
Luke brought instant energy and helped scheme up Georgia’s 26-14 Sugar Bowl win over Baylor last Wednesday.
The Bulldogs had to replace three players on the offensive line with tackles Andrew Thomas and Isaiah Wilson declaring for the NFL draft, and Ben Cleveland ineligible to play.
Smart will have some options with the staff opening, though it’s likely he has already targeted a new hire.
UGA tight ends coach Todd Hartley also has experience coaching special teams. Hartley coached both tight ends and special teams at Miami.
If Hartley can pull double-duty at Georgia, it would enable Smart to hire another position coach to enhance the offense.
The Bulldogs’ defense appears to be in rock-solid shape, especially after Richard LeCounte announced he is returning for his senior season.
Georgia hopes to hear cornerback Eric Stokes and linebacker Monty Rice will also return for their senior seasons. Neither Stokes nor Rice are projected in the first two rounds of the 2020 NFL Draft.
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