Respected assistant coach Eddie Gordon returns to Athens on opposite sideline
While there will be many new faces patrolling the UAB sideline on Saturday since the Blazers’ last trip to Athens, Kirby Smart and company will be able to look across Dooley Field and spot a deeply familiar one — offensive line coach Eddie Gordon.
A member of Georgia’s staff from 2019 until accepting his role in Birmingham this past spring, Gordon was a consistent force for the offensive front of the Bulldogs. He acted as a graduate assistant and quality control coach during his tenure and worked with all three of Smart’s line coaches.
“He’s a great recruiter, he’s a great coach, he’s a hard worker. I have a lot of respect for Eddie,” Smart said of the former staffer on Monday. “Of the people we’ve had in the organization and left, somebody told me it’s like 24 guys that have come here worked in some capacity and moved on to another on-the-field role or a role higher than when they were here. He was loyal, he worked hard.”
During his tenure, Gordon was a key piece of stability on the recruiting and coaching front, bridging the gap between line coaches and was noted for his ability to connect with young players.
“He recruited a lot of good players here. He was right alongside Sam [Pittman], Matt Luke, [Stacy] Searels. He has a personality about him. He never backed down from coaching players hard, and I respect that in a coach because he didn’t try to be their friend,” Smart said. “He coached them hard, recruited them hard, and I’ve got a lot of respect for him.”
Redshirt sophomore offensive guard Dylan Fairchild was quick to reiterate those notions when asked about Gordon’s impact on the line’s room.
“It was huge. It was awesome,” Fairchild said. “He motivated me every day down there on scout team. He was an amazing coach.”
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The now-Blazers coach’s reach wasn’t just felt by those on the offensive line, however.
“Just great leadership just from being in the graduate assistant role and being that assistant o-line coach. A lot of the team has respect for Coach Gordon. He has done a lot for us and a lot for me just getting me ready with those scout looks the past two years,” defensive lineman Zion Logue said. “I tip my hat to him. I’m glad he has a job. When I found out we were playing them and he was there, I kind of lit up a little bit. I’m just glad that he’s prospering and doing a great job.”
Georgia expects much from an Eddie Gordon coached group on Saturday
Having worked against fronts coached by Gordon in the past, Logue has little doubt about how UAB will enter the game.
“Ready,” Logue said. “I can hear [Gordon] now saying, ‘Let’s go.’ In that little high-pitched voice saying, ‘Let’s go.’ I can hear it now.”
Smart, too, is prepared to see a Blazers offensive front with some extra pep in its step come game time.
“You see it in the way his o-line plays. They’re going to be wound up for this one because I know Eddie,” Smart said. “Eddie wants to represent and have his kids play well.”
Kickoff time for Saturday’s contest in Athens is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
