There’s a new running backs coach at Georgia Football. Dell McGee, the longstanding running back coach at Georgia, will be replaced by Josh Crawford. Last week, McGee departed from Georgia to take over as head coach of the Georgia State Panthers.
Crawford has been Georgia Tech’s coach since 2023, so Kirby Smart did not have to go far for his next assistant. Crawford was Western Kentucky’s co-offensive coordinator and receivers coach before. Before moving to Tech, Crawford was a coach at Western Kentucky from 2021 to 2022.
Crawford was a seasoned veteran in Georgia High School coaching, while being relatively new to the collegiate football coaching levels.
For 11 seasons, Crawford was the football coach at some of the most illustrious Georgia high schools.
From 2010 to 2012, Crawford served as the tight ends and running backs coach at Greater Atlanta Christian. After that, in 2013, he worked as an associate head coach, offensive coordinator, and quarterbacks coach at Jefferson County High School.
After that, Crawford was the Colquitt County coach from 2014 to 2016. gained two state championships and, in 2015, a high school national championship during that time.
In2017, Crawford was the head coach at Lee County High School, where he also captured a state championship. He was the wide receivers coach and pass game coordinator at Lee County.
From 2018 to 2019, Crawford served as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Valdosta High School. In 2020, he served as co-offensive coordinator at Colquitt County H.S., his final position as a high school coach.
Crawford was never brought up as a possible running backs coach replacement, even though a few names were tossed around. I was a little offended when I saw the name since, before the news broke, I had no idea who he was. However, after reviewing the man’s resume, I believe that this is a fantastic hire.
In addition to playing running back for Moorehouse College football, Crawford earned a master’s degree from Georgia in 2012.
Given his background, Crawford is among Georgia’s top recruiters, and it makes sense. It also says a lot when Tech supporters rejoice on Twitter that their greatest assistant coach chose not to coach wideouts at Georgia.
Given his background, Crawford is among Georgia’s top recruiters, and it makes sense. It also says a lot when Tech supporters rejoice on Twitter that their greatest assistant coach chose not to coach wideouts at Georgia.
For the last three years, Georgia Football has been at the top. In those three years, the Dawgs have only lost twice, and to the same team. From one Georgia supporter to another, let’s be honest: the Dawgs have only suffered a loss against Alabama on one occasion. However, that is unimportant because the Dawgs are CFB’s top program.
Kirby Smart is the finest college football coach, even with Nick Saban cheering on Alabama from the sidelines (College Gameday) alongside Coach Corso. To be honest once more, Kirby Smart, a Georgia supporter, overtook Nick Saban in 2021.
Still, it is not the topic of this blog. This blog is kind of critical of Kirby Smart.
I want to assure you that it is worth your time to wait before leaving the blog. There is a bright side to any criticism among Georgia fans, despite the fact that I am aware that some people get really upset about it. Once you read the blog through, you will comprehend.
On a gorgeous Saturday this weekend that felt a lot like spring, the fellas at the coffee shop asked me out for a few drinks. We started chatting about Georgia football, like we always do. “What is one of the knocks on Kirby Smart and Georgia Football?” said one of the lads.
What a wonderful query! However, I knew the response right away. Was it really that good? Unfortunately, I hang out with guys that are far smarter than me. That being said, I feel better when they tell me how smart I am. fulfills the ego. Anyhow, I said, “Wideouts,” without thinking twice.
The Dawgs have only signed George Pickens, a 5-star prospect, under Kirby Smart. The last time Georgia had the famous wideouts was a long time ago. Unlike what Ohio State or Alabama have done in the past, Kirby Smart has not yet recruited receivers. The Dawgs have numerous 5-star players at every position but for the receiver position. How in the world are the Dawgs unable to hit receivers with numerous 5-stars? It is mind-boggling!
Although it is clumsy, the first response makes logic. N.I.L. Kirby Smart holds that your performance on the field determines your N.I.L. money and does not guarantee large sums of money. I don’t want to generalize, but receivers are expensive, as we all know—especially in the modern era of college football.
The second response is merely a fan’s observation and something Kirby Smart has said publicly on several occasions. “It is expected of you as a wide receiver at Georgia to block.” That is something that might deter a number of wide receiver prospects with high rankings. As a gifted 17-year-old, I believe you would prefer to hear this:
“We will throw the ball on every down, and you will get the ball fifteen times.”
Additionally, Georgia uses a receiver-by-committee scheme. There won’t be a standout wideout at Georgia on the stat sheet. I’m struggling to recall the last time a wide receiver scored more than 150 yards. Georgia’s offense distributes the ball such that it doesn’t get to any one player in particular.
What, then, was that benefit I mentioned earlier? Georgia uses the transfer portal to acquire gifted wide receivers. At wide receiver, Kirby Smart would prefer to have a proven player over an unproven but extremely gifted potential.
The wideout position is where the Dawgs get prospects, but they also get men that are underappreciated yet have the potential to be excellent players. Take a look at Dillon Bell, Ladd McConkey, and AD Mitchell. All were “passed over,” yet they were all capable of being excellent wideouts, which they were.
Is it a reflection on Kirby Smart and the Georgia Football team that they are unable to sign the top wide receivers? Not really. In the upcoming years, Kirby Smart plans to fight for even more national titles, having already won two. In the end, Kirby Smart wants his quarterback to be armed, and he will be if he can find a means to obtain them.
This past week, Kirby Smart added two new players to his offensive staff. Georgia announced the hiring of Josh Crawford, the running backs coach at Georgia Tech, following the departure of Dell McGee, who took a position as head coach at Georgia State.
It was reported that James Coley will return to the Bulldogs, this time as the wide receivers coach, prior to Crawford’s hiring. In 2018, Coley served as the co-offensive coordinator; the following year, he was elevated to offensive coordinator. Following the Bulldogs’ offensively difficult 2019 year, coordinator Coley was dismissed of his responsibilities and promoted to assistant coach.
Kirby Smart bolstered his offensive line with two new players this past week. After Dell McGee left to take a job as head coach at Georgia State, Georgia announced the hiring of Josh Crawford, the running backs coach at Georgia Tech.
Prior to Crawford’s employment, it was rumored that James Coley will rejoin the Bulldogs, this time as the wide receivers coach. Coley was the co-offensive coordinator in 2018 before being promoted to offensive coordinator in 2019. After an offensively challenging 2019 season for the Bulldogs, coordinator Coley was relieved of his duties and elevated to assistant coach.
These are some of the responses to the employment of Crawford and Coley on X, formerly known as Twitter.
