Georgia football adds offseason excitement, QB stars endorse Todd Monken

ATHENS — New Georgia offensive coordinator Todd Monken hasn’t been introduced to the Georgia football fanbase yet, and Kirby Smart might not allow the 53-year-old NFL veteran to talk until fall drills.

But there’s enough of a history behind Monken that Bulldogs’ fans should be able to sense what all the excitement is about.

It’s likely Georgia followers will get to see for themselves around April 18, which is the projected — but not yet official — date for the annual G-Day Game.

While Monken’s one-year stint as the Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator didn’t work out, it’s important to note it wasn’t his show. Former head coach Freddie Kitchens called the plays.

But the year before, Monken directed the NFL’s top passing offense with Ryan Fitzpatrick and Jameis Winston, his quarterbacks with the Tampa Bay Bucs.

The University of Georgia gathered up some quotes from former quarterbacks who played in Monken’s offenses.

Nick Mullens, the backup QB on the NFC champion San Francisco 49ers, was developed by Monken at Southern Miss and went on to become the 2015 Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year.

Mullens was quick to chime in on the hire:

“Coach Monken is an excellent coach who will bring energy and passion every day. He’s extremely smart and will do a great job of developing his players’ knowledge of the game. He knows how to scheme receivers open and put players in the best situations to succeed. Georgia got a great offensive mind that players will have fun playing for!”

And, if you are wondering what Monken’s conversation with the returning Bulldogs quarterbacks and incoming Wake Forest graduate transfer Jamie Newman might go like, these comments from former first-round NFL pick Brandon Weeden could provide some insight:

“From my first conversation with Coach Monken on the phone, I knew he was what we needed to pick up where we left off from the 2010 season. He came in and embraced what we had and put his finger print on it and did an unbelievable job. I think guys respected him immediately because of his time in the NFL and even more once we got to work. He’s an innovative coach who brings that fire and passion you need. He’s one of my favorite coaches I had the opportunity to play for and great guy as well. We were lucky to get him and it worked out for both sides.”

Finally, there was this endorsement from Ryan Fitzpatrick, who split time with Jameis Winston in the 2018 Tampa Bay offense that led the NFL in passing yardage under Monken’s direction.

“Coach Monken sees the game through the quarterback’s eyes. He is aggressive and calls a game based on the strengths of his players. He does a great job of teaching and instilling confidence in the entire unit.”

Georgia football offseason

Kirby Smart lands Air Raid guru Todd Monken

Todd Monken steps out of messy Cleveland and into ideal spot

LSU DC Dave Aranda reveals UGA offensive game plan

Mark Richt gives scout on FSU grad-transfer Tre Mckitty

UGA provides status update on James Coley

Numbers game: Comparing Jamie Newman to Jake Fromm

Bulldogs’ safety headed for Ole Miss

Projected starting Georgia lineman returning from injury

PODCAST: Brandon Adams discusses Todd Monken addition