Here’s what Smart had to say about the transition at offensive coordinator:
This will be James Coley’s first season as offensive coordinator and playcaller after Jim Chaney left in the offseason for Tennessee. Smart said he didn’t want to see Chaney leave, but was also intent on keeping Coley, not to mention offensive line coach Sam Pittman.
“People were coming after (Coley) left and right,” Smart said. “I love Jim. He did a good job and led that side of the ball. I was very comfortable with that, but he felt like this was his chance to get paid at a really high level. I ran the risk of paying him at that level and possibly losing two other coaches. The key is you’ve gotta figure out who you’re going to pay and where your value is in recruiting.” [Emphasis added.]
If you want to get paid major bucks on this staff, you’d best be a hit on the recruiting trail. At Georgia, the Jimmies and Joes are worth more than the Xs and Os.
Get The Picture 
We wouldn’t want it any other way.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s not reading between the lines to say that Cheney might still be employed at Georgia if he recruited better, is it?
LikeLike
got to feed the beast…it even looks as though the DL recruiting has been better (last season). Will be interesting to see how they perform. Donnan is all high on them, we’ll see….IZ cautiously optimistic.
LikeLike
I still contend that Dan Rubenstein’s description on the Solid Verbal of him as “Jim Chaney, Offensive Consultant” is the most apt description ever.
He shows up for a couple of years and isn’t really gonna blow you away with noticeable innovation, but he quietly produces pretty solid offensive results and improvement before moving on to his next gig.
LikeLike
The offenses improved the season after Chaney left Arky and Pitt. It’ll be interesting to see if that pattern continues.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was impressed with Coley’s leadership when Chaney and Johnson went AWOL before Tae Crowder’s play at the end of the first half of the Rose Bowl. Without it, Georgia likely loses that game.
It’s just one example, but I believe Coach Coley has what it takes to be successful at Georgia.
LikeLike
I don’t think Cheney as nd Johnson left the booth to go to the locker room without permission.
LikeLike
Yeah, they weren’t exactly AWOL. Just weird timing.
LikeLike
Wait, what happened? I haven’t heard about Cheney leaving the booth before the end of the hall at the Rose Bowl. Coley was left there to call the play that put us in range for Hot-Rod’s 55 yarder?
LikeLike
https://www.macon.com/sports/college/university-of-georgia/bulldogs-beat/uga-football/article192510104.html
LikeLike
This one does peek behind the curtain a little.
LikeLike
So Coley would have moved on and who else? Dell?
LikeLike
“I ran the risk of paying him at that level and possibly losing two other coaches.”
Interesting. I wonder how we are supposed to read this comment? The hint may be we could have lost Coley and Pittman if Smart paid Chaney at the level needed to keep him. “Smart said he didn’t want to see Chaney leave, but was also intent on keeping Coley, not to mention offensive line coach Sam Pittman.”
Does that mean there wasn’t enough $ (allowed) to go around for all desired raises, or was there conflict in position? In any case, hanging onto the coaches that bring in the talent is my preference. I doubt if the difference in schemes between each of them vary enough to matter.
LikeLike
I think it’s as simple as who got raises at the end of the year beyond the standard throwing more money at them for doing their jobs: Pittman and Coley, right?
LikeLike
I guess there are plenty of people who can coach, but not a lot can close on elite talent.
LikeLike
“My coordinators are doing things right and I know they’re in control, whereas before my antenna was up all the time,” Smart said.
Found this to be quite interesting too.
LikeLike
Me as well, especially considering how green his coordinators are this season (well, when it comes to coaching in the SEC that is).
LikeLike