The latest addition to the Bulldog family

I don’t know that this is a case of Kirby getting an early jump on his tenth assistant, but today’s hire is still interesting.

Head coach Kirby Smart has hired former Auburn assistant Scott Fountain to join his staff with the Bulldogs.

Fountain’s wife posted the news on Facebook and Fountain’s Twitter handle was changed to show he has joined the Bulldog program.

Although it’s unclear what position Fountain will hold with Georgia, he brings a wealth of experience coaching having served as the Tigers’ special teams coordinator and tight ends coach from 2013-2016 after spending the previous four seasons (2009-2012) as Auburn’s player personnel director.

He left the Auburn program on February 7 after his contract was not renewed. He was earning $325,000 in a contract that expired today.

Fountain came to Auburn with former Tigers head coach Gene Chizik in 2009.

At Auburn, Fountain coached some of the finest specialists in Auburn history, including three-time Ray Guy Award semifinalist punter Steven Clark, placekicker Cody Parkey, who ranked second in the SEC in PATs made (66), and kicker/punter Daniel Carlson, a Lou Groza Award finalist as a sophomore who has already set five AU records. He also coached H-back Jay Prosch, who was a fifth-round draft pick of the Houston Texans in 2014 and tight end C.J. Uzomah was a fifth-round selection of the Cincinnati Bengals in 2015.

He also spent two years as Chizik’s tight end coach and recruiting coordinator.

This report adds that the hire has been in the works for some time, so Fountain appears to be someone Smart definitely wanted to bring on board.  Can’t think it hurts for Shane Beamer to have another set of eyes, that’s for sure.

Although I wonder if Kirby has said anything to Fountain about Ken Blankenship yet.

10 Comments

Filed under Georgia Football

10 responses to “The latest addition to the Bulldog family

  1. Bill M

    What exactly does Beamer do again? He hasn’t done a damn thing for our special teams and he sure as hell doesn’t put any time recruiting.

    I’m hoping Fountain is his replacement. Beamer is a weak link on our staff.

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    • Beamer just landed a commitment out of Virginia.

      Liked by 1 person

      • Khari Vion Jr.

        Beamer also recruited the kicker. That is 2 of the 3 commits for 2018.

        Liked by 1 person

        • Macallanlover

          Good point. And more importantly might be opening up the Tidewater market for UGA. We have done well in several new markets but nothing much in Virginia recently. Va Tech and TN have gotten some good talent in the Commonwealth.

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      • Bill M

        We have no idea if Becton is worth a dang. Currently ranked 871 in the nation by 247.

        He didnt pull his weight at all in the 2017 class. Like at all.

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    • merk

      To Beamer’s credit, the ST play did improve as the season progressed, but yes, our KO and P coverage definitely saw a drop off and probably cost us the Vandy game. You can’t really blame FG kicking on Beamer, since Blakenship and the other guy were definitely not elite kicker material.

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  2. Bulldog Joe

    Hopefully, this spells the end of directional kicks, squib kicks, sky kicks, and dial-a-returner.

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  3. W Cobb Dawg

    Beamer was a huge disappointment last year. I was absolutely stunned to see skinny WR Reggie Davis on the kick-off team. Maybe Fountain can restore some sanity.

    And if Beamer is the only guy on staff who can recruit a kicker from Norcross, GA we’ve got a serious problem.

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  4. 69Dawg

    If I’m Beamer I’m sweating.

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  5. WarD Eagle

    Who knows what goes on behind the scenes, but I thought Fountain’s special teams were good.

    Liked by 1 person