First day on the job for Georgia’s new offensive line coach
ATHENS – Will Friend was a two-time All-SEC offensive lineman at Alabama in the 1990s, but by the end of his playing days there, it was obvious his future was in coaching.
Friend, who started work Tuesday as Georgia’s newly hired offensive line coach, recalled a meeting about his future with his position coach, Neil Callaway, after his senior season at Alabama:
“Right after the season, he called me in and said, ‘Hey, listen, whatcha going to do?’
“I said, ‘Well, I don’t know.’
“He said, ‘Well, you ain’t going to be able to play any pro ball.’
“I said, ‘I didn’t think so.’
“He said, ‘I think you can coach.’”
That’s how Friend’s career started. He worked three years as a graduate assistant coach under Callaway at Alabama, then one year as an assistant at West Alabama, one year as a high school coach in Tuscaloosa, two years as a graduate assistant at Georgia (under Callaway), two years as offensive line coach at Gardner-Webb, four years as offensive line coach at UAB (again under Callaway) and now back to Georgia.
He started work Tuesday morning at Butts-Mehre Heritage Hall in a much larger office than the one he shared with other graduate assistants in 2003-04.
“There were three or four of us in there,” Friend recalled. “We had to fight for chairs. If you got in early, you got a chair for the day.”
Friend’s daughter, Katie, now 6, was born in Athens while he was working here as a grad assistant.
“I told her . . . ‘you’re getting to go back home,’” Friend said.
He said Georgia’s offensive linemen will find him to be consistent and honest.
“I think it can be a very good group,” he said.
He phoned the Bulldogs’ six offensive-line signees Monday night “and told them, basically, ‘You guys don’t know me and I don’t know you, but we both picked Georgia. . . . We can build our relationship off that.’”
– Tim Tucker, UGA Blog
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139 comments Add your comment
hind tit
February 8th, 2011
10:33 pm
Searels did a good job with pass blocking but was terrible with run blocking. No driving the the defensive line back at all. Searels inherited Calloway players in 07 and the downward spiral began with the running game. Richt had his greatest success with the Calloway lines. I knew we were in trouble when he left and Richt saw that to. We could have more than matched the Texas offer if he were getting the job done. Will be interesting to see how this works out for Texas. Friend will be a great hire because he is a student of the game. That’s what Calloway saw in him way back when. Think about it, how many of the great baseball managers was star players. It’s the same in all sports.
oline
February 8th, 2011
11:23 pm
Ga’s oline better get it done this year—or that new coach from uab can hit the road. they have the QB, WRs and with crowell, maybe the best RB in the SEC.
savannadawg
February 8th, 2011
11:41 pm
Bobby Bulldog. You are kidding. RIGHT! One cannot be hired to coach in the University system without one.
RED DOG 77
February 8th, 2011
11:41 pm
@Sandman053…….Coach Warren Belin coached inside linebackers, not runningbacks. And yes, Thomas Brown will spend alot of time with the RBs………in the weight-room, where when he was at Georgia, nobody could touch him……..Thomas Brown was hired to ramp-up strenghth and conditioning. Regards, RED
Hairy Dawg
February 8th, 2011
11:42 pm
Here’s hoping Will Friend realizes that he has a big chance to build a name in coaching here at UGA. If he accepts that challenge and devotes himself to the cause, we’ll all be pleased with the results.
RED DOG 77
February 8th, 2011
11:53 pm
Now coach Friend gets his chance to taste the big time………He has been an understudy long enough !………..And you think this dude won’t be working his butt off to make a name for himself ?……….I’m not sure how well we will do in 2011, but you can bet your sweet ass coach Friend will be kicking those big ‘ol linemen up and down the field this year. Me? heck, I am as optomistic about our Oline as I have been for a long time. We have some real studs to trot out there this year, and a coach that has something to prove……………I’m thinking our running game may well be one of the best in the SEC !
ITBS
February 9th, 2011
12:07 am
@Gravy Train, Friend is only O-line coach this year. He does not get the title of running came coordinator like Searels did.
Destin Dawg
February 9th, 2011
6:35 am
No more seniority system !!!! coach ‘em up and play “em all…. I’m betting Boo Malcome will suprise at RB…. and Hutson Mason should get some chances at QB… No 1st string sets in stone !!! Go Dawgs… win the 1st 2 & It’ll be a GREAT season !! Go Dawgs !!!
220s
February 9th, 2011
7:13 am
Let’s go Coach Friend. Good luck to you sir.
Paul in J-ville
February 9th, 2011
8:18 am
Just another inept hire of coaching mediocrity. Why after all of the supposed National Interest Richt and McGarity hires a guy from the dreaded conference usa who is 59th in the nation in rushing???
This is a terrible underequipped coach who learned from a very mediocre under-performing Neil Calloway that hasnt done anything and the UGA faithful are suppose to say “Yayyyy, we’re gonna whippem on the line now. Richt will not last past this year, UGA will be looking for someone who isnt afraid to hire a coach with a little experience and fire in his belly
STEINER
February 9th, 2011
8:20 am
JB:
Your Krystal job is on the line, so you better get off smoke break and get back in the assembly line….
STEINER
February 9th, 2011
8:25 am
Paul in J-ville:
This guy is an up and coming oline coach much like Van Gorder was when he came to Georgia….This undermanned team knocked Tennessee around pretty well this past season….This guy is a good coach, we could not have done better without another $750,000 payday, and there are only so many of them…Paul, hate to say it, but you sound like a loser….
Cohutta Dawgman
February 9th, 2011
8:48 am
Now I have a Friend in the coaching business. GATA!
Jborodawg
February 9th, 2011
8:50 am
layinlow
“…February 8th,5:55 pm…I think if Georgia fans are honest, and I am a Dawg, we have to ask ourself was Searles really that bad or was he a victim of a poor S&C program? I mean the guy was considered a top notch offensive line coach at LSU and has now been hired by another top program at Texas….”
“…1962 Dawg Feb 8th,8:39 pm….Searals wasn’t a bad coach, Dawgs O-line gave up 15 sacks last season. Not bad considering the conference….” And considering a frosh QB.
And, how about ‘08 when he did a phenomenal job? But in 2010 the O line was supposed to be one of the best in the country. “Fans” here on the blogs want instant gratification and if one stumbles, one needs to be fired. Well, Texas was glad to oblige.
kerryb
February 9th, 2011
8:59 am
Everyone commenting about the lines he coached at UAB not being that good. Wise up. I don’t think you get elite O-linemen going to UAB. Now he has some talent to work with, lets see what he does with it.
DawginLex
February 9th, 2011
9:00 am
Victim of the S&C program could describe the entire coaching staff.
Where is the Auburn idiot today who ruined Schultz’s blog yesterday regarding Washaun?
I guess it is not a snow day today and he actually had to go back to class.
Mobile Dawg
February 9th, 2011
9:06 am
Jborodawg comments, “Fans” here on the blogs want instant gratification and if one stumbles, one needs to be fired. Well, Texas was glad to oblige.”
Maybe some want “instant gratification”, but please explain what you mean by “instant” to me. This program has been “officially” sliding since at least 2007, and has finally bottomed, hopefully.
On another note, can someone tell me whether Friend initiated interest, was referred by Callaway, or was sought out by Richt? I would like to know who initiated contact.
jarvis
February 9th, 2011
9:08 am
Washaun and King can go kick rocks.
Fed up!
crossdawg
February 9th, 2011
9:10 am
Welcome home Coach Friend. GO DAWGS
Bobby Bulldog
February 9th, 2011
9:11 am
I can find no information anywhere that Friend ever received any other degree than a BS at ALa. My brother had an athletic graduate assistantship at UGA. GA’s are are given a max of two years during which the ga is expected to work toward an ms degree. The pay is like about thirteen k a year and tuition and is the same for all sports. Something is wrong with Friend’s resume as described in the above article. The advanced degree does not have to be sports related and many are in business. Maybe some of the friend supporter can fill us in. Not to offend but has why Calloway with his great record at UAB has not moved to a bigger school.
Bobby Bulldog
February 9th, 2011
9:13 am
Sorry for the extra “has” above.
Cool Jerk
February 9th, 2011
9:14 am
Lots of people are down on Coach Friend because he came from UAB, but I think it’s a good fit.
The truth is, UAB and Georgia have a lot in common…
Neither can beat UCF!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
WDE!
Dream Weaver
February 9th, 2011
9:16 am
I’m not one to just up and blame the coach because the players are the ones who have to execute during the game. With that said, Searls may be a good coach who had guys who didn’t listen, maybe he’s not a good coach and maybe his guys were ill prepared. Who really knows at this point? The schools he previously had coached ran differant offenses so it’s hard to really evaluate. What I do know is this… I watched every game and the running game never seemed to be able to get going AND Aaron Murray was running for his life on nearly every pass play! We needed some kind of change!!! I hope it’s a positive one because I’m tired of watching this misery!
sogadog
February 9th, 2011
9:21 am
Searles is probably a good o line coach, that is why Texas hired him. The problem may have been Bobo’s schemes and play calling. Texas doesnt pay half a million a year for bad coaches. It may have been difficult for Searles to coach the o line with Bobo designing and calling the plays and that is why he chose to move on. It seemed like Searles and Bobo were not on the same page.
Time will tell. Lets hope Friend can work well with Bobo since Friend is younger and will probably be more inclined to do things Bobo’s way.
Bobby Bulldog
February 9th, 2011
9:26 am
Who will take Belin’s place?
AU's O Head Coach
February 9th, 2011
9:34 am
Irk Russell coached first at Atlanta’s Grady HS, in his pre UGA days. He and Grady won the Ga. HS state championship too. Later he made his name at UGA and then be built GA Southern into a powerhouse program. He will forever be be loved by all college football fans.
AU has a offensive co ordinator ( Gus Malzahn?) who coached in HS up in Arkansas before he went to AU. He also had been at some other universities prior to AU but in obscure jobs. He is the rage of college football now.
This is the track that many great coaches take. This is as normal as a district manager of say two states, getting a better job offer from a firm that wants him to mange 5 states. More money and more opportunity to hone your craft. This is as normal as apple pie and ice cream.
Van Gorder is another example. He was not considered by the UGA public of being a great D coach until he became a great head D Coach at UGA.
Haters can always see the negatives in any UGA move.
Good luck to this young man.
Go Dogs.
Mobile Dawg
February 9th, 2011
9:39 am
I’m not slighting Coach Friend in the least, I’m just asking can someone tell me whether Friend initiated interest, was referred by Callaway, or was sought out by Richt? I would like to know who initiated contact. Does anyone have the answer to that?
david
February 9th, 2011
9:40 am
Everyone please go and check out this story about CMR .. classy guy ..
http://timesenterprise.com/opinion/x353714385/Winning-isnt-everything
Down South Dawg
February 9th, 2011
9:43 am
It’s nice to have a FRIEND in this business!—Welcome and best of luck. Athens is a great place to be.
GIT-ER-DONE & GO DAWGS!
A word or two concerning Thomas Brown
February 9th, 2011
9:44 am
Thomas Brown to me is one of my favorite all time Dogs for tons of reasons. One reason is that when he blew his knee returning a KO and had to rehab and missed basically an entire Junior year, He did well when he came back and actually carried UGA in a few games when No Show did not perform.
He always had a smile on his face, even after hard, tough tackles on him. Gee, he must have been enjoying himself. That smile is infectious and it will help UGA and the kids now.
Thomas Brown knows how to run hard and he knows how to pump iron and his LEADERSHIP and ENTHUSIASM will be part of UGA’s return over the next few years. Now, if he listens in on running back sessions with his old team mate McClendon, only more good will come out of that. The kids will respond to him. He IS a leader. This is a key.
Thomas Brown and ALL of the S&C coaches are a great move. They ALL ARE ENTHUSIASTIC and empassioned and will convey that to the guys. This is attitude adjustment and that is key in any organization.
Go Dogs.
Chemistry and such
February 9th, 2011
10:00 am
Searels left UGA for many reasons. Frankly, he might have just been burned out in Athens. Richt probably sensed that as well. CMR seemed to be and McGarity acknowledged that and for this guy Searels, it makes good sense. He left. Good luck to him.
Now, Searels is a good technician of the O line. He is not a public arena person. He and Bobo did not get along at the end and we all saw the lack of cohesion in UGA’s non existent running game. We also saw the odd 3rd and such panicked long passes too, as one result of that division. Searels with some talent possibly at Texas, will do fine. He and UGA both needed a change.
Head coaches meet young subordinate coaches at clinics all over the USA. They all network their resumes just like the public. They talk over golfing outtings and they talk about hot young coaches. It is in the Head Coach’s best interest to network like this. The SEC’s college position coaches also play golf with state HS coaches and again, they all network.
Friend has a solid background ……………. AA at Alabama says it all. Under his mentor Callaway, UGA had some guys that went to the NFL, like the Stinchcomb brothers and tons of others. Just because Friend did not play ball in the NFL does not mean that he is lacking knowledge. To insist on a NFL pedigree is dumb. Did Bear Bryant ever play in the NFL??? Did Jimmy Johnson??
Steve Spurrier sat on the bench behind QB John Brody at San Francisco in the 60s but only developed his coaching skills in the old World Football league AND as an assistant to Bill Curry at GT and later at Duke as HC. Spurrier underwent a normal progression.
Coaches move up in a routine line of progression. Will Friend will be fun to watch.
Go Dogs.
Mobile Dawg
February 9th, 2011
10:10 am
Chemistry and such, networking is a common practice in all businesses. Still, how did this particular hire happen, did Friend apply, was he suggested by Callaway, or was he sought out by Richt due to this networking?
cowetadawg
February 9th, 2011
10:26 am
@david that is an awesome example of why CMR is a who he is. I am a high school football coach and a father and i can tell you that simply this is the man who makes a difference sometimes we lose the long termgains of good men leading these kids in their records. thanks for the link
Paul N Destin
February 9th, 2011
10:58 am
Will Friend is a good coach. Just who did you think you could hire at UGA with Richt on the hotseat? Really back off and take another look at just where your football program stands as of today. Ask why did Searles leave for Texas other than the raise. 8-4 is about right but is that enough to retain the current HC. The pressure will be on the AD.
UGA Insider
February 9th, 2011
11:28 am
Friend has some talent to work with in 2011. He could have a good unit if everyone stays healthy. He also has 6 or 7 true freshman he can mold and I ultimately think all of them will redshirt. I don’t see any who can play SEC ball at the moment.
GaDawg
February 9th, 2011
12:57 pm
@ Bobby Bulldog – What the hell does it matter if he has a Graduate degree or not. There are a lot of individuals that go to grad school and never complete the program. GA’s are for individuals who existing coaches feel have a future as a coach. You should know this since “your brother” was a GA at UGA. I kinda doubt that statement though. Support this guy and stop stirring up B$!
OldFan
February 9th, 2011
12:58 pm
It’s impossible to draw a straight line from what Friend did at UAB to what he’ll do at UGA. The talent and the competition are too dissimilar. What we can hope is that CMR sees in Friend the elements of a sound coaching approach with a good grasp of what it takes to play at this level. I don’t know how any coach growing in the system can do anything more than grab the next opportunity and prove himself. There’s nothing about Friend that indicates he’s a bad choice. The only question is how good a choice will he prove to be? We’ll see on the field.
GaDawg
February 9th, 2011
12:58 pm
@ Paul N Destin – 8-4 keeps Richt.
Mobile Dawg
February 9th, 2011
2:06 pm
No knock against Friend here, I would just like to know the process of how he got here. Was he a Richt recruit, did he apply, or was he recommended? Not a hard, or loaded question.
4WhatIt'sWorth
February 9th, 2011
2:49 pm
I love the way he introduced himself to the new recruits. It translates to honesty, and a genuine desire to promote the best for the university and the football team. I know this guy will be a winner!
chilidawg
February 9th, 2011
2:53 pm
So this means Bobo is still OC? Jeeez, CMR needs to put Bobo back on QBs and take over play calling himself.
realist X
February 9th, 2011
2:57 pm
hiring no name coaches from little programs will not beat florida, auburn and alabama. Ga needs big time coaches who can win at this level. McGarity needs to get with it soon.
papadawg
February 9th, 2011
3:07 pm
OK Friend now get those guys in the weight room and in shape and a little butt kicking wouldn’t hurt
papadawg
February 9th, 2011
3:09 pm
Realist x where did Auburns Coach come from and I think they won the BCS Game.
Tide got rolled
February 9th, 2011
3:13 pm
realist X we had a big name coach….stick your envy where the sun doesn’t shine
Same OL Same Ol
February 9th, 2011
3:20 pm
Here is the 2011 Season in a nutshell. Humpers finish 6-5 (improvement) and finish with a 4 game win streak that gets Hump Nation all excited and Richt survives another year.
Opponent Result
Boise State 1 L
South Carolina L
Coastal Carolina W
at Ole Miss L
Mississippi State L
at Tennessee L
at Vanderbilt W
Florida 2 L
New Mexico State W
Auburn W
Kentucky W
at Georgia Tech W
Bobby Bulldog
February 9th, 2011
3:26 pm
Godawg–I didn’t say that Friend had to have a MS degree in order to coach–its just weird for someone to spend five years as a ga at two different schools and not have an MS to show for it. The pay was about the same as McDonalds. Being a ga at uga is not that great an accomplishment that I would feel the need to brag about it. Friend might try whipping himself into shape and get rid of that beer belly before he tackles whipping players else into shape.
The Problem in Athens as I see it.
February 9th, 2011
3:29 pm
A successful HC either needs to be an SOB (Saban, Meyer) or be an offensive genius (Spurrier) or have an OC who is a genius (Malzahn, Weiss) or be one lucky SOB (Miles). Richt is none of these and unfortunately will not be around when this great recruiting class comes to fruition.
DawginLex
February 9th, 2011
3:31 pm
Same ol same ol couldn’t get into UGA so he went to Aw-barn.
12 games played = 6-5 record??
Aw-barn math. Gotta love it.
Tide got rolled
February 9th, 2011
3:36 pm
DawginLex a good rule of thumb is if someone can’t get that 6-5 doesn’t equal 12…your words are wasted as I suspect they are…