Jim Chaney Leaves UGA for Tennessee

ATHENS - Kirby Smart will have to look for a new offensive coordinator for the 2019 season. 

Tennessee has hired Jim Chaney to return to Knoxville, where he was the offensive coordinator and play caller from 2009-12. UGA officials would not immediately confirm the news to Dawg Post Tuesday night, but Tennessee announced the hire on Wednesday.  

Chaney’s departure means Georgia will enter the 2019 season with two new coordinators. Colorado hired former defensive coordinator Mel Tucker in December. James Coley, who coached quarterbacks and turned down the Texas A&M offensive coordinator job this time last year, is the presumed favorite to take over the offensive coordinator job for the Bulldogs. Coley was a co-offensive coordinator in 2018 for Georgia. Alabama QBs coach and former Arkansas offensive coordinator Dan Enos is another name to watch for the new opening.

That would mean Georgia would likely need to find a coach for the tight ends spot, which is the position Chaney had this fall.