Kirby Smart releases official statement on coaching changes, Scott Cochran

Georgia football coach Kirby Smart has released a statement regarding changes to the Georgia football coaching staff.

Scott Cochran and Darrell Dickey have resigned from their positions. Cochran worked with special teams after first arriving in Athens in 2020, while Dickey worked with the offense. He spent this past season in Athens after having previously served as the offensive coordinator at Texas A&M.

“I would like to thank Scott and Darrell for their contributions to Georgia football. We wish them the best for their future,” Smart said. Cochran held an on-field role at Georgia as special teams coordinator during the 2020 season, but stepped down from that role in August 2021. Will Muschamp replaced Cochran as Georgia’s head coach. Cochran spent 13 seasons at Alabama before coming to Georgia as the strength and conditioning coach.

Since returning to the team in an off-field role after the 2022 season, Cochran has posted on social media about his sobriety and struggles with addiction. Smart also announced that Kirk Benedict will be promoted to special teams coordinator, a title previously held by Cochran. Benedict is expected to continue his role off the court. Benedict spent the last two seasons at Georgia after previously working at Duke.

Georgia made two coaching changes this offseason. Donte Williams takes over as defensive backs coach from Fran Brown. Brown was hired as Syracuse’s head coach. Williams worked at USC before coming to Georgia. Travaris Robinson will become Georgia’s safeties coach and co-defensive coordinator, a position previously held by Muschamp. Muscamp will be at Georgia in an analyst role with the Bulldogs. Robinson spent the last two seasons as the cornerbacks coach at Alabama.

Georgia went 13-1 last season and finished the year with a win over Florida State in the Orange Bowl.