Georgia has officially added a key piece to its defensive coaching staff, bringing in Larry Knight as the Bulldogs' new outside linebackers coach. Knight, who was most recently serving as the pass rush specialist at West Virginia, joins a Georgia program with sky-high expectations heading into the 2026 season.
Knight’s arrival in Athens comes just weeks after he was hired by West Virginia in January. That was a milestone move for him-his first job at a Power Four program, and a notable step up from his previous role at Arkansas State.
But Georgia didn’t waste time. With an opening on the defensive staff and a clear need to juice up the pass rush, Kirby Smart and company moved quickly to bring Knight on board.
It’s a move that makes sense when you look at Knight’s recent track record. In 2025, he served as the defensive line coach and run game coordinator for Arkansas State.
Under his guidance, the Red Wolves led the Sun Belt Conference with 39 sacks-a number that jumps off the page when you realize it’s nearly double Georgia’s total from last season (20). That kind of production is exactly what Georgia’s looking to replicate as it reloads a defense that, while still stingy, didn’t generate the kind of front-seven havoc fans in Athens have grown used to.
Knight’s ability to develop edge rushers and generate pressure up front is what makes this hire intriguing. Georgia’s defense has long been built on discipline, depth, and elite talent, but adding a coach with Knight’s recent success in creating chaos in the backfield could bring a new wrinkle to the Bulldogs’ defensive identity.
Of course, the timing of Knight’s departure from West Virginia-less than two months after taking the job-will sting for the Mountaineers. It’s a tough blow for a program that was hoping to build momentum with Knight on staff. But from Georgia’s perspective, this is about filling a need with a coach who has proven he can deliver results-and fast.
With Knight now in the fold, Georgia’s coaching staff for the 2026 season appears to be set. There weren’t sweeping changes this offseason, but there are a few new faces who’ll need to get up to speed with the program’s culture and expectations. Still, the foundation remains rock solid.
The Bulldogs are once again positioned as one of the top contenders for a national title. And if Knight can help elevate the pass rush to match the rest of Georgia’s elite defense, this team could be even more dangerous than it was a year ago.