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
nerds! nerds! nerds!
February 8th, 2011
10:29 am
i honestly don’t think King will qualify. Ealy neither for that matter. Where is the work ethic?
Crowell and Malcome in ‘11
how2fish
February 8th, 2011
10:30 am
UAB really didn’t CMR hire Searles ? He if memory servers was a big name big money hire…again how did that work our for us honestly?
UGAG Pre-Season #1 Fulmer Cup Champs
February 8th, 2011
10:32 am
Now, just sit back and watch…
as all the UGAG idiots trash Ealy and King.
Looks like Ealy and King just now discovered
what UGAG and its red-neck fans are REALLY all about:
Using disposable players to produce REVENUE
for the UGA Athletic Association.
Yawn.
Same as it ever was.
how2fish
February 8th, 2011
10:33 am
Enter your comments here
how2fish
February 8th, 2011
10:35 am
UGAG Pre-Season #1 Fulmer Cup Champs puck you….if we didn’t do anything you would have written how soft CMR is and the program is heading down the tubes because of no discipline..please just troll on.
nerds! nerds! nerds!
February 8th, 2011
10:36 am
Just pointing out the facts Preseason Princess.
“Well done is better than well said.”
Ealey and King did this to themselves.
UgaVIII
February 8th, 2011
10:38 am
–√\—√\—√\—√\—————————–
UGAG Pre-Season #1 Fulmer Cup Champs
February 8th, 2011
10:38 am
And yet, idiot dawg-fans CHEEEEEEEEEEERED mightily
when King and Ealy chose UGAG.
And now, the VERY SAME idiot UGAGA fans are now SO VERY EAGER
to throw both Ealy and King under the bus.
UGAG Pre-Season #1 Fulmer Cup Champs
February 8th, 2011
10:40 am
Poor how2fish moron.
The rruth is just way too hard to handle, isnt it?
how2fish
February 8th, 2011
10:43 am
Amazing everyone wants to bang the “zero tolerance” drum and talk about maintaining discipline, but let a couple of guys screw up and have the hammer brought down on them .And then its Woe Woe we are dreadfully thin at that position how could this of happened?? Accompanied with the wringing of hands and gashing of teeth..what’s next sack cloth and ashes?
how2fish
February 8th, 2011
10:46 am
UGAG Pre-Season #1 Fulmer Cup Champs what is the rruth? Who is the MORON??
AltamahaDawg
February 8th, 2011
10:46 am
I have no doubt that Saban in his first year made a point about how he wants things done. New coach, school had been through a few staffs, which you would think would create some sloppiness. But as I recall, the big news about him cleaning house involved some pretty bad deals, that Nobody would have put up with. One guy was selling cocaine it the parking lot. That’s not exactly Saban’s Law! stuff there. We have also become quite aware of the (fair or not) practises of how he makes rooms for guys. So who really knows. I’m sure he culled a few.
I obviously brought some order to that team, and his results on the field are a good indication. But I don’t know if he really does, or knows anything that everybody else doesn’t. I have a feeling that the conference as a whole would all over those secrets, if there were any. You can’t punish any greater than to kick folks off the team, and suspend them.
I don’t really see any Ol’Miss (just as example, pick any other) players in the news for stuff either. Nutt doesn’t exactly strike me as a ballbuster.
I know damn well they don’t drive any better,or hate beer, in Miss and Alabama, or South Dakota.. There is more to it than coach control. I get the feeling sometimes the Uga administration is more concerned about appearing to be something as they are actually stopping the nonsense distractions. (Damon Evan’s PSA says it all).
We know for a fact that UF has had some instances (that are headlines the same night in Atlanta) that nobody know about til somebody caught up to the story from a rival town. Good for them. And good for Saban for handling it “in house”.
“If a tree falls in the forest and nobody is around to hear it, does it make a sound?”
Jim Rome Interview with CMR
February 8th, 2011
10:47 am
Rome: “Coach, you’ve had 10 players arrested during this (2010)
off-season and over 40 players arrested or in various trouble with the law in the past 3 years. Is there a discipline problem at UGA?”
Richt: “No. There is not a discipline problem here at Georgia.”
Man, you just cant make this BS up !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AltamahaDawg
February 8th, 2011
10:48 am
He brought, “I” didn’t
UGAG Pre-Season #1 Fulmer Cup Champs
February 8th, 2011
10:48 am
Poor how2fish moron.
The truth is just way too hard to handle, isnt it?
There. Now you should feel better.
woebegong
February 8th, 2011
10:49 am
Gotta love the morons. You idiots _________________(fill in name) would not be pleased with anything that is done by the coaches at UGA. If King and Ealey have indeed, played thier last down for UGA, it is their fault. How in the world kids can give up a chance to get a free ride to a major university or college, just because they act immature and can’t keep out of trouble, I don’t know.
Sometimes, you just can’t do enough for some of these folks, who refuse to do the right thing, given their God given talent and the chances it gives them. It appears that they would probably have ended up as blotter fodder this year anyway.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO DAWGSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
crossdawg
February 8th, 2011
10:49 am
Washuaun Thug strikes again. Maybe we can trade him to auburn.
UGAG Pre-Season #1 Fulmer Cup Champs
February 8th, 2011
10:54 am
Here’s a recap of how2fish:
UGA signs Caleb King:
“Oh WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW. He’s awesome. We’re gonna ROCK!! Woohoo.”
UGA signs Washaun Ealy:
“Oh WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW. He’s awesome. We’re gonna ROCK!! Woohoo.”
UGA signs Isaiah Crowell:
“Oh WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW. He’s awesome. We’re gonna ROCK!! Woohoo.”
“oh, and by the way, tell those two losers, King and Ealy,
we’re done with them and hit the road.”
How2fish: Boy, am I a great (and typical) UGAG fan or what !!
Go dawgs, yeeeee-haaawwww !!!!!!!!!!
how2fish
February 8th, 2011
11:01 am
UGAG Pre-Season #1 Fulmer Cup Champs yes I do great to know you have the skill to use spell check as its crystal clear you can’t spell truth on you own. Just by being you expands the meaning of word “moron”. now just troll on….. woebegong great post !
how2fish
February 8th, 2011
11:06 am
UGAG Pre-Season #1 Fulmer Cup Champs here’s a recap ” Amazing everyone wants to bang the “zero tolerance” drum and talk about maintaining discipline, but let a couple of guys screw up and have the hammer brought down on them .And then its Woe Woe we are dreadfully thin at that position how could this of happened?? Accompanied with the wringing of hands and gashing of teeth..what’s next sack cloth and ashes? How do you square that with your account? Now get back in your closet the North Ave natives may hear you banging on your keyboard….and that could get ugly.
ATL Sports Fan
February 8th, 2011
11:13 am
Wow, Ealey is already labeled a THUG cause he missed a discipline run and practice. WOW, you people just amaze me. You do know that both him and Caleb King were highly sought after in high school. That goes for Georgia Tech as well. They both were offered and recieved interest from Tech.
ATL Sports Fan is a LIAR !!!!
February 8th, 2011
11:17 am
Neither Ealy nor King were ever offered by Tech.
Neither ever had clearance from Tech admiistration
for an offer to be extended.
What a lying tool.
how2fish
February 8th, 2011
11:19 am
ATL Sports Fan that’s correct but at some point they have to hold up their end of the bargain, they have both been guilty of various off field instances. They at some point have to be held accountable, missing punishment runs, drills etc is a big deal..I don’t think they are thugs they have never done anything violent, drug related etc but they just won’t do right…hope they can turn it around we need them if they will toe the line…if not well Statesboro is not long drive.
UGAG Pre-Season #1 Fulmer Cup Champs
February 8th, 2011
11:20 am
Once again…how2fish proves:
He just can’t handle the truth.
Neither can MOST UGAG fans.
crossdawg
February 8th, 2011
11:22 am
Hey ATL, You may be right. Choir boys also have suspended drivers licenses and keep driving.
Bigdawgtoo
February 8th, 2011
11:34 am
Pacific Dawg-
Thanks for the update on Papulu. Wish him the best in JC and hope the Dawgs stay on him! In two years he can take over for Mr. Jenkins.
woebegong
February 8th, 2011
11:35 am
I just read where ESPN has a story that Ealey has been suspended indefinitly from the team and will not be allowed to use the facilities. He has supposedly not been kicked off the team yet. He just can’t practice or use any of the facilities.
Sopposedly though, the Asst. Athletic Directer will not confirm or deny the story. And to think, I thought those guys would never make good politicians.
MassiveDawg
February 8th, 2011
11:37 am
Vasi “Tomstone”Papulu would be a great addition after Big John Jenkins leaves for the NFL. Any word on which Junior College he is enrolling at?
whodawg
February 8th, 2011
12:08 pm
How many times do we have to hire the wrong guy? I agree that Dave Johnson was the onr we should have hired. Enter your comments here
Mo Money
February 8th, 2011
12:14 pm
why is UGA forced to hire these no name coaches from little schools? Can’t they attract some big names from top programs in the SEC and around the country?? I need a drink.
Pacific Dawg
February 8th, 2011
1:26 pm
MassiveDawg
I talked with Vasi’s father today at work. Vasi “Tombstone” Papulu has been Accepted at San Joaquin Delta College in norhtern California. They have a well respected JC football team. So, for now, Tombstone is a Delta College Mustang.
damngooddawg!
February 8th, 2011
3:11 pm
I get a kick out of the envy/hate spewed on dawg blogs by you rotten tooth, first cousin inbreds who probably only go on a college campus to mow the grass or sweep the floors. You retards need to get a life…nah, just go back to pickin buggers and eatin um. That’s all your pea brains can handle…
Am I being too harsh???? Nah….
TexasDawg
February 8th, 2011
5:19 pm
I would like to see CMR to hire a top NFL LB coach that has experience
in 3-4 defense. Go DAWGS!
Preston
February 11th, 2011
1:17 pm
I’m pretty sure everyone here (I’m talking to UGA fans) would love to see Ealey and King get their heads screwed on straight and start living up to all the hyped up expectations. It’s absolutely justified to vent your disappointment on these blogs because that’s what these blogs are for. That being said, barring any more bonehead moves by these two, they should have every opportunity to compete for their spots on the rotation.