In the end, Mark Richt turned to a surname very familiar in NFL circles to fill a very big hole on his Georgia coaching staff.
In a press release, UGA announced that Brian Schottenheimer has been named as Richt’s new offensive coordinator. Schottenheimer, the son of former NFL head coach Marty Schottenheimer, will replace Mike Bobo, who left to become the head coach at Colorado State last month.
He will also serve as quarterbacks coach.
“I’m excited to have Brian join our coaching staff,” said Richt in a statement. “His NFL experience will be a perfect fit for how we like to play offensive football here at Georgia. He’ll be excellent in developing our players in both the running and passing games which will benefit them while they are at Georgia and for their future.”
Schottenheimer has served as an NFL coordinator the past nine seasons, three with the St. Louis Rams (2012-14) and six with the New York Jets (2006-11).
The job at UGA will be Schottenheimer’s first at the collegiate level since 2000, a season he spent at USC as tight ends coach. His only other experience at this level was with Syracuse in 1999 as wide receivers coach.
Schottenheimer did play quarterback at Florida for three seasons, spending two seasons as the primary backup to Heisman winner Danny Wuerffel, so he at least has some SEC experience, albeit two decades ago.
“This is a great opportunity to become a Georgia Bulldog for both my career and my family,” said Schottenheimer. “I’m thrilled to be part of an elite program with such national tradition and a great staff already in place. I look forward to working with young men and being a positive and significant influence on their lives as we develop them athletically, Academically, and socially.”