Georgia hires UAB’s Will Friend as offensive line coach (updated)
Will Friend celebrated his 36th birthday Monday by becoming Georgia’s offensive line coach.
Friend, who held the same position at Alabama-Birmingham for the past four seasons, was an All-SEC offensive lineman at Alabama in the 1990s and a graduate assistant coach at Georgia in 2003-04.
He fills the position vacated on the Georgia staff by last month’s departure of Stacy Searels for the same job at Texas.
At UAB, Friend worked under head coach Neil Callaway, who was Georgia’s offensive coordinator and offensive line coach from 2001-06. Callaway became UAB’s head coach in 2007 and immediately hired Friend, who had been offensive line coach at Gardner-Webb for two years after his graduate-assistant stint under Callaway at Georgia.
“I got to see first-hand his work ethic when he was a graduate assistant on our staff,” Georgia coach Mark Richt said in a statement announcing the hire, “and since that time he’s developed into a seasoned, top-notch offensive line coach.”
The hire, expected since late last week, became official when routine pre-employment background checks were completed.
Friend was traveling and not available for an interview Monday. He said in a statement that he is “extremely excited” about the “tremendous opportunity” at Georgia.
“When I worked with Coach Richt and the staff as a grad assistant, I had a great experience, and I always wondered if I might have the opportunity to come back to Athens,” he said. “I am looking forward to getting to work.”
Friend, a native of Philadelphia, Miss., was a member of Alabama’s “Team of the Decade” for the 1990s. He was a four-year starter at offensive guard for the Crimson Tide from 1993-97.
Of the 120 FBS (formerly Division I-A) teams, UAB last season ranked 15th in fewest sacks allowed (12), 30th in total offense (423 yards per game), 24th in passing offense (267 yards per game) and 59th in rushing offense (156 yards per game).
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234 comments Add your comment
Dobbs
February 7th, 2011
7:42 pm
Richt didn’t keep his promise to the O-Line recruits, he promised them he’d get them a top guy, this Conference USA coach is not even 3rd tier.
BiggdawgK
February 7th, 2011
7:43 pm
@Jim
It’s hard to say why they dropped from 7 to 59, but I hope it has something to do with their quality at RB not with the OL.
Like going from Knowshon to ………fill in the blank with Ealey, King etc…
RabidDawgFan
February 7th, 2011
7:47 pm
His OL ranked 15th in the country in sacks allowed with only 12 in 12 games. He did that with UAB type talent. Imagine what he can do with our group of guys. We’ll be good next season, if not great.
BiggdawgK
February 7th, 2011
7:50 pm
@Dobbs
I’m never sure if morons like you who masquerade as a fan of UGA actually stupid enough to think a recruit will read your pathetic comment and say “Golly this guy Dobbs opened my eyes I’m transfering” or if your sad little life is so empty your only joy is in being a consumate downer.
On second thought either reason makes me feel really sad for you.
bilbo
February 7th, 2011
7:56 pm
I honestly don’t know whether Friend will be a good coach or not. I do know that while he’s a good recruiter, Bobo has no business being an OC at UGA. NO ONE should have UGA as their first OC gig. Bobo is a miserable play-caller, despite having loads of talent on offense and having gone up against really bad defenses this past season (Ark, Aub against pass, Colorado, GT, UL, UK, UT, Vandy, etc).
Riley
February 7th, 2011
7:57 pm
Will Friend’s QB was a dual threat QB that passed for 2000 yards in n2010 and ran for 1000, becoming the first guy to do that.
My thinking is, maybe this is what Richt & Bobo are planning to do with Murray/Lemay, let them throw for 3000, and run for 1000.
Running QB’s are what win in the SEC, look at Cam & Tebow. It’s a really tough match up for a defense.
bgdawg
February 7th, 2011
7:57 pm
i guess people don’t understand sarcasm these days i.e. Nonsense
BigGAdawg
February 7th, 2011
8:08 pm
Welcome back coach. Go Dawgs!!!
Woof Woof Woof!!!!!!!!!!!
Better Dawgs!
February 7th, 2011
8:13 pm
Excellent hire! This guy is perfect for the job. Not sure OL hires are that sexy. This guy wants to be a DAWG! Good luck to other teams that play us.
AP
February 7th, 2011
8:16 pm
Excited about Coach Friend! Welcome coach to you and family! Now get busy and get Benedict ready for spring and the Dome come September! sturdivant, gates, jones, benedict, glenn. Go Dawgs!
Sam
February 7th, 2011
8:19 pm
Look, Richt didn’ty have a lot of options ok? Richt’s in a short 3 year contract, and McGarity only offered the O-Line coach a 1 year deal worth about $25,000. It was either this guy, or a high school coach. Richt did the best he could.
Eddie
February 7th, 2011
8:19 pm
I am excited about the new coach.
What’s his name again?
Eddie
February 7th, 2011
8:24 pm
What does UBA stand for, I’ve never heard of a University named that and didn’t know UBA was a football powerhouse for coaches. Are people trying to type UGA instead of UBA, I don’t get it.
Eddie
February 7th, 2011
8:25 pm
Als, this guy had webs in his garden or coached at garden web? Garden Web, is that his school or website or hobby? I’m sorry, this is all very confusing.
Better Dawgs!
February 7th, 2011
8:26 pm
Douche Bags!
cadawg
February 7th, 2011
8:36 pm
the guys seemed to have quit responding to searles, so i think the change in perspective/ approach should help. it’s clear that the guy isn’t a bad coach–UAB had a very strong running game in ‘09 and protected the passer very effectively in ‘10.
best luck to CWF and our OL. go dawgs!
Old Dawg
February 7th, 2011
8:49 pm
With digital cameras on everyone’s smartphone, getting photos of people can’t be too difficult. So, is it possible to run photos of folks when they’re hired? From my experience as a journalist, it’s a priority to make things like that happen.
BiggdawgK
February 7th, 2011
8:52 pm
@eddie
Is that what passes for humor in the trailer parks of allyybammer? Go practice on the barners and come back here with some new material.
KimZ'spackage
February 7th, 2011
8:53 pm
What is that whooshing sound? The sound of the Toilet that is UGA flushing talent down the drain with more crappy coaching.
BiggdawgK
February 7th, 2011
8:59 pm
@KimZ’spackage
What is that whooshing sound? The sound of the air passing through the empty cavity between your ears.
Think about it for a minute sweetie and if you still don’t understand the answer then get a grownup to explain it to you.
KimZ'spackage
February 7th, 2011
9:04 pm
biggdawgk
Don’t make me get Delbert to mentally kick your butt all night. You can’t even get close to the Brain Power Delbert D has.
dawggone
February 7th, 2011
9:08 pm
Welcome back Coach! Hope some of that X -Ala stuff ( kick-ass) rubs off on the dawgs. Don’t take no BS…just get it done.
JDawg
February 7th, 2011
9:11 pm
was ealy just kicked off the team
JDawg
February 7th, 2011
9:11 pm
was washaun just kicked off of the team?????????
Vance Duly
February 7th, 2011
9:15 pm
Recipe for UGA offensive success in 2011:
1. Joe T’s strength & conditioning improves stamina, our O-Line power, & reduces injuries.
2. Friend is a friend to our O-Line and we maximize the potential of the vets & redshirts.
3. Coaches Bobo and Richt review the predictability of our playcalling, & takes steps to stop it.
4. Coaches Bobo and Richt review the lack of imagination in our offense, & our tendency to become passive at times – playing not to lose instead of playing to maximize our point total.
5. 2 receivers step up to go along with T. King and O. Charles.
6. Someone takes the TB position & refuses to give it up or fumble it away….
Big “if”, but if these 6 things took place, we could average 35-40 points per game and win at least 10. Only SC should have much ability to slow down our offense under this scenario….. While all of these are possible, I have least confidence in Coach Bobo adjusting his approach. (For you Boboites who refuse to look more than skin deep, our offense failed us at critical times, and often in the 4th Quarter. Some of it can be blamed on play-calling, not all, but some. Running a draw up the middle on almost every 2nd & 10 following an incomplete pass is just ONE example).
JDawg
February 7th, 2011
9:16 pm
glad u did not include WE……..is he off of the team??
Sarcasm is cool
February 7th, 2011
9:17 pm
BiggdawgK always makes me lol in a good way.
By good I mean he rips into the idiots by shineing a harsh spotlight on their ignorance.
BiggdawgK
February 7th, 2011
9:24 pm
@sarcasm
Thank you. I’ll take that as a compliment.
JB
February 7th, 2011
9:34 pm
Richt needs to realize that somebody may have a better idea or play or plan than the one Bobby Bowden showed him 20 years ago. We are as stale as week old white bread.
Douglasville Dawg
February 7th, 2011
9:54 pm
Now I want David Pollack as linebackers coach! Come back home David! We need you to teach these dawgs some intensity and work ethic!
I'm just saying!!
February 7th, 2011
10:04 pm
looks to me UAB faired better against the SEC than thet did against the conf. USA!!!UAB o-line only gave up 12 sacks all year last year and UAB played some pretty stout compitition.
I'm just saying!!
February 7th, 2011
10:13 pm
and not to mention the head aches Will Friend’s o-line gave UGA just a couple of years ago,if not for UGA’s offensive production that UAB would have won.
and heres the link to back my last comment up: notice the UT game and the MISS ST game
http://uab.rivals.com/schedule.asp
JRW7DAWG
February 7th, 2011
10:29 pm
Welcome to the DAWGS FRIEND!!!
chem
February 7th, 2011
10:30 pm
Honestly, how much does an offensive line coach really matter anyways? The blocking scheme won’t change and the playbook certainly won’t change. As long as he can motivate guys during positional drills and offseason workouts, that’s all that really matters.
tide roll
February 7th, 2011
11:01 pm
” I’m kinda speechless.” Another lazy hire by Richt. UAB is terrible. Calloway got a one year extension but will be gone after this year.
Sanford on Saturday
February 7th, 2011
11:06 pm
I have seen on some forums that Ealy is either transferring or off the team. does anyone know anything go dawgs!
big name
February 7th, 2011
11:12 pm
Richt / mcgarity should be hiring coaches from Alabama, not lowly alabama-birmingham in some mickey mouse conference. Hopefully this guy knows how to coach at the SEC level
DawgDude
February 7th, 2011
11:25 pm
Who??
Paul in J-Ville
February 7th, 2011
11:28 pm
What a joke of a hire. Of all the coaches in America that would love to coach a big time program, Richt settles for a guy who’s team’s rushing is 59th in the nation…..deplorable and a sad commentary of judging talent. This makes me want to puke. Whats worse is the so called Czar from Gaytorville, McGarity, approved it. Disgraceful and shameful to the supporters of UGA football. Sorry you bandwagon, Koolaid drinking, doofus-inksters that believe this guy is going to make things better with the O-line.
Richt is gone after next years encore to this years pittyful coaching. Sad sad sad
STEINER
February 7th, 2011
11:39 pm
swimdawg68:
We got the man we wanted for oline…We’re not in the recycling business…
UGAJD
February 7th, 2011
11:41 pm
The guy hasn’t even started and many of you guys can do nothing but bitch about his hire. I’m sick of all the negative BS. If you can’t give Coach Friend and the program your full support, then stay the hell off campus. GO DAWGS!
STEINER
February 7th, 2011
11:46 pm
Paul in J-Ville:
You are a loser, sir…He will have better players to coach at Georgia than he did at UAB, so that rushing number will be moving up…another lonesome loser compliments of the Little River Band….
STEINER
February 7th, 2011
11:47 pm
UGAJD:
Well said UGAJD…Negative folks stay out of Athens and off the Georgia football blogs…
STEINER
February 7th, 2011
11:49 pm
tide roll:
you were speechless as well as we beat you prospect for prospect in South Georgia…Dream Team came together….Yall toted a whipped A$$ when you went up against UGA in recruiting…
STEINER
February 8th, 2011
12:27 am
Delbert D.:
Delbert will be our next hire at UGA….How did he get so smart…All those X’s and O’s he has mastered? Delbert D. don’t know jackschitt about football, just another lonesome loser sent to us by the Little River Band…..
STEINER
February 8th, 2011
12:29 am
Paul in J-Ville:
GREAT HIRE FOR OLINE….PAUL, YOU DON’T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT FOOTBALL…YOU WANT A NAME, WE NEED A COACH….
RMikel58
February 8th, 2011
2:16 am
Hey im not for this new hire or against it but couldnt we have looked at the possibilities alittle harder? Im not on the boat with this New OL Coach as some of you may be. UAB? Get real. Can we not look alittle deeper and see his resume’? Its kinda like they were so busy recruiting and asked the janitor at UGA to look for a OL Coach cause they were too busy to search for one.
Dawg Tired
February 8th, 2011
2:18 am
There is no other place to comment on this site regarding issues of real import. So here goes:
There is a story on the front page describing how “business” is concerned about the impending immigration law that is similar to the Arizona law.
My view: Any businessman that violates the law by hiring illegal immigrants should be sent to prison. They should be hit with a fine sufficient in magnitude that their business will suffer to the point of closure, unless they agree to sell it to existing legal employees. In short, the crooked businessmen that are decimating our economy and denying AMERICANS a job opportunity should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
This isn’t a slam on the illegals. But they are just that: illegals. They need to go home. Don’t tell me that Americans won’t do the jobs. Look at the throngs that show up when even a menial job is advertised in the paper.
RMikel58
February 8th, 2011
2:30 am
Im not a coach nor do i want to be. Nor am i anti georgia this or that but i do think alot. My guess is Georgia was looking for a new line coach but didnt wanna spend the money to get a decent one and thats 1st. 2nd Georgia sure did get in a hurry to find one to a certain degree and hoped for the best.
If you have an opening thats important at a companyt where you work at dont you think that you might look around a bit and see who’s the most qualified person for that job? I mean if you guess wrong then your company will suffer right? So you ask people, run ads, interview people, then select the top 10 or top 5 and get a second interview. Was there even a selection process at Georgia?
I doubt it. May have went lets look at a few coaches see which ones are best qualified and see how little they are willing to make if we hire them.
If i was running the team which im not, the 1st thing i wouldve done was look at the upper echelon of OL Coaches in both NFL and the NCAA then contact them for an interview.
I wouldve looked for the guy with the most experience, good resume’ and how many players he has graduated to the NFL and see if he was willing to get interviewed.
I also would have looked at what he can bring to the school, does he stay at a school or jump ship like Jim Mora does or hate to say it Nick Saban and finally can he help with recruiting.
Call me Anti Dawg if you like cause im not but it just seems to me that Georgia limited itself to those possibilities because they were in a hurry.
corndawg
February 8th, 2011
4:50 am
TN just let Chuck Smith go. I hope dawgs take a look at him at def. end coach!