The coaching carousel is spinning once again, and this time it’s the NFL pulling from the college ranks - just when programs thought they could finally catch their breath. Georgia, a perennial powerhouse under Kirby Smart, is the latest to feel the ripple effects as a key defensive assistant heads to the pros.
Chidera Uzo-Diribe Heads to Dallas
The Bulldogs are losing outside linebackers coach Chidera Uzo-Diribe to the Dallas Cowboys, who are bringing him on in the same role. It’s a significant move that not only shakes up Georgia’s defensive staff but also underscores how highly Uzo-Diribe is regarded across the football landscape.
Since joining Georgia in 2022, Uzo-Diribe carved out a reputation as one of the top young minds in college football. His work with the Bulldogs’ edge rushers was instrumental in their recent success, and his presence on the recruiting trail helped Georgia continue to stockpile elite talent at the position. Now, he’s headed to the NFL, taking that energy and expertise to Dallas.
A Fast-Rising Coaching Talent
Uzo-Diribe’s coaching journey has been a steady climb. A former standout pass rusher at Colorado - where he finished sixth all-time in sacks - he transitioned into coaching right after his playing days, starting as a graduate assistant at his alma mater.
From there, he made stops at Kansas and SMU, where he helped develop All-AAC talent like Elijah Chatman. He briefly followed Sonny Dykes to TCU before Kirby Smart brought him to Athens.
That move paid off in a big way. Uzo-Diribe helped Georgia secure a national title, with the Bulldogs defeating Dykes and TCU in the championship game.
It was a full-circle moment that highlighted just how far he’d come in a short time. His impact in Athens went beyond game day - he was a strong recruiter and a key voice in player development, particularly in shaping Georgia’s feared front seven.
What This Means for Georgia
Losing a coach of Uzo-Diribe’s caliber is never easy, especially this late in the cycle. Most staffs are already set, and replacing a position coach with his track record isn’t as simple as plugging in the next man up. But if there’s one thing Kirby Smart has proven time and again, it’s that he knows how to reload - not just with players, but with coaches.
Georgia has become a destination for rising coaching stars, thanks to the program’s consistent success and Smart’s reputation for developing both players and staff. While Uzo-Diribe’s departure leaves a noticeable hole, the Bulldogs are well-positioned to attract another high-upside coach ready to make their mark.
Bottom Line
The NFL’s reach continues to impact the college game, and Georgia is the latest elite program to feel it. Chidera Uzo-Diribe’s jump to the Cowboys is a big opportunity for him - and a big loss for the Bulldogs.
But with Kirby Smart at the helm, Georgia isn’t likely to skip a beat. The search for the next breakout coach begins now, and if history’s any guide, Smart will find another gem.