Kirby Smart Makes Major Change To Georgia’s Coaching Staff
Georgia’s staff under head coach Kirby Smart is undergoing a key change ahead of the 2025 college football season.
The Bulldogs are coming off an 11-3 season that included Smart’s third SEC Championship and fourth College Football Playoff appearance in nine seasons at the helm of his alma mater.
Smart and Co. have managed to keep their top assistants this offseason while making some notable additions.
Former UGA tight ends coach John Lilly has returned as an offensive assistant alongside longtime NFL assistant Phil Rauscher. Additionally, veteran defensive line coach Jimmy Brumbaugh is expected to join the staff.
Georgia has also made an in-house promotion regarding defensive backs coach Donte Williams, who is entering his second season with the program.
Williams has added the title of associate head coach, according to a staff update on the school’s website.
Before joining the Bulldogs ahead of the 2024 season, Williams took on the role of cornerbacks coach and defensive pass game coordinator at USC under head coach Clay Helton in 2020.
Williams, a former Syracuse and Idaho State defensive back, went on to serve as associate head coach before taking over as interim head coach in 2021 after the Trojans fired Helton.
USC kept Williams on staff in his initial role after hiring Lincoln Riley as head coach in 2022. The 42-year-old previously coached cornerbacks at Oregon, Nebraska and Arizona.
At Georgia, Williams has been tasked with coaching cornerbacks with co-defensive coordinator Travaris Robinson focusing on safeties.
The Bulldogs finished 38th nationally in pass defense and star cornerback Daylen Everette earned All-SEC Third-Team honors after leading the team with three interceptions.
Additionally, Williams has been a key part of Georgia’s efforts on the recruiting trail, signing four-star corners Jontae Gilbert and Dominick Kelly in the No. 2 ranked class of 2025 (247Sports).
Smart has made similar moves in the past. Former running backs coach Dell McGee, now head coach at Georgia State, served as assistant head coach at UGA. And tight ends coach Todd Hartley was promoted to the same role in 2023.
The Bulldogs will open the 2025 season at home against Marshall on Aug. 30.
