The Georgia Bulldogs are making some notable coaching changes this offseason, and one of the biggest shifts comes on the defensive side of the ball. After four seasons guiding Georgia’s outside linebackers, Chidera Uzo-Diribe is moving on.
Uzo-Diribe stepped into the role back in 2022, filling the shoes of Dan Lanning after he took the head coaching job at Oregon. And from the jump, Uzo-Diribe made his mark. He played a major role in developing edge talent like Nolan Smith, Robert Beal, Chaz Chambliss, and Quintavius Johnson-players who brought toughness and versatility to a Georgia defense that’s been the gold standard in college football in recent years.
But Uzo-Diribe didn’t just coach talent-he helped bring it in. He was instrumental in landing key recruits, including 5-star edge rushers like Damon Wilson and Isaiah Gibson.
That kind of recruiting success doesn’t happen by accident. Uzo-Diribe’s ability to connect with players and sell the Georgia vision was a major asset for the program.
Before his time in Athens, Uzo-Diribe had stops at SMU and TCU, giving him valuable recruiting ties to the Dallas-Fort Worth area. A former standout pass rusher at Colorado, he’s just 33 years old, but already boasts a résumé that’s caught national attention.
Looking ahead, Georgia still has plenty of talent at the outside linebacker position. Gabe Harris and Quintavius Johnson are both returning starters, and the Bulldogs have depth behind them with players like Chase Linton, Isaiah Gibson, and Darren Ikinnagbon ready to step up. The cupboard is far from bare.
On the offensive side of the ball, Georgia is also making a change up front. Phil Rauscher is stepping in as the new offensive line coach, replacing Stacy Searels, who, like Uzo-Diribe, spent the past four seasons with the program.
Rauscher was already in the building last season as an analyst, so there’s some continuity there. He’ll now take on a bigger role as Georgia looks to keep its offensive front among the nation’s elite.
As for who might fill Uzo-Diribe’s spot coaching the outside linebackers, one name to keep an eye on is Jarvis Jones. A former Georgia star and recent analyst for the Bulldogs, Jones just led Carver High School in Columbus to a state title as head coach. He knows the program, knows the position, and has proven he can lead.
Georgia is coming off a 12-2 season that included an SEC Championship, but the year ended with a disappointing loss to Ole Miss in the College Football Playoff. One of the team’s biggest issues?
Generating pressure. The Bulldogs finished 107th nationally in sacks-a surprising stat for a program known for defensive dominance.
That context makes this coaching change even more significant. Whoever steps into Uzo-Diribe’s role will be tasked with getting the most out of a talented group and helping Georgia return to the kind of pass-rushing production that’s defined its best defenses.
There’s no panic in Athens. The foundation is still rock solid. But with staff changes and a few key questions on both sides of the ball, this offseason is shaping up to be a pivotal one for the Bulldogs as they reload for another title run.