Georgia promotes James Coley to offensive coordinator

It didn’t take Georgia long to find its replacement for Jim Chaney.

Georgia said Friday that co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach James Coley would be promoted to offensive coordinator. Chaney, the team’s offensive coordinator in 2018, left Georgia for Tennessee earlier in the week.

Coley has been on Kirby Smart’s staff since Smart was hired at Georgia ahead of the 2016 season. Before he came to Georgia, Coley was the offensive coordinator at Miami, where he was the team’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

“James has been a critical part of our staff since we came to Georgia,” Smart said in a statement. “He’s done an incredible job in all aspects of his responsibilities including coaching wide receivers for two years, serving as co-offensive coordinator this past season coaching the quarterbacks, and recruiting. James has extensive coordinator experience during his entire coaching career and will transition easily into his new role.”

Chaney got a three-year deal at Tennessee worth nearly $5 million. The Volunteers also paid a $500,000 buyout to Georgia.

Coley’s promotion is likely good news for QB Jake Fromm. The QB won’t have to learn an entirely new offensive system in what could be his final season in Athens.

Georgia averaged 7.1 yards per play in 2018, including 5.9 yards per carry on the ground. While RB Elijah Holyfield declared for the draft, leading rusher D’Andre Swift also returns.

As the Bulldogs have now figured out who will run the offense, the defensive coordinator job is still open. The position hasn’t been filled since Mel Tucker left to take the head coaching job at Colorado.

– – – – – – –

Nick Bromberg is a writer for Yahoo Sports.

Follow @NickBromberg on Twitter

More from Yahoo Sports:
• Cardinals clap back at ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith
• Coach gives Saints $225K reasons to be motivated
• MVP performance: Giannis outduels Harden
• Paylor: How Mahomes can help Chiefs avoid playoff flop