James Coley set for return to Georgia as receivers coach
Georgia looks to have its next wide receivers coach, and it’s a familiar name for UGA fans. Making his return to Athens after spending the last four seasons at Texas A&M is James Coley. Matt Zenitz of 247Sports was first to report.
Coley comes to Georgia from A&M by way of South Carolina. He was hired as the Gamecocks’ receivers coach in January, set to work under the direction of Shane Beamer in Columbia. That wouldn’t have been the first time those two paired up, previously doing so in 2016-17 on Kirby Smart’s first UGA staff. Coley coached wide receivers for the Bulldogs those two seasons before moving to working with the quarterbacks in 2018 and 2019. He also held the title of co-offensive coordinator the first of those two years before taking sole possession of the role following the departure of Jim Chaney.
Regarded highly as a recruiter, Coley helped Georgia land several South Florida prospects during his first stint. A native of Miami, Coley first came into coaching in the high school ranks at a couple of schools in Miami. He then crossed paths with Kirby Smart on Nick Saban’s staffs at LSU (2003-04) and with the Miami Dolphins (2005-06). A year at Florida International (2007), five at Florida State (2008-12) and three back in his hometown with the Hurricanes (2013-15) then led Coley to Athens in 2016.
A product of several different coaching trees including that of Jimbo Fisher and Kirby Smart – both of whom fall under the larger tree of Nick Saban – along with Al Golden, Coley is unquestionably experienced and qualified to coach Georgia’s wide receivers. Under his direction at Georgia previously came a pair of NFL Draft picks at the receiver: Isaiah McKenzie and Javon Wims. Quarterback Jake Fromm was also drafted after working hand-in-hand with Coley. Other mentored players with Coley ties include Florida State quarterbacks Christian Ponder, EJ Manuel and Jameis Winston from his time as the Seminoles offensive coordinator and tight ends coach and All-ACC selections Duke Johnson, Shane McDermott and Clive Walford from his time at Miami in the same roles, among others.
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Coley will take over a Georgia receiver room that returns two coveted transfer portal additions from last cycle – Dominic Lovett and Rara Thomas – as well as talented players like Dillon Bell, Arian Smith and Anthony Evans. Lovett led Georgia receivers in 2023 with 613 yards and four touchdowns on 54 catches.
The Bulldogs also went to the transfer portal once again to add to their roster with three newcomers this year: London Humphreys (Vanderbilt), Colbie Young (Miami) and Michael Jackson III (USC). Two receivers signed with Georgia in the Class of 2024: Nitro Tuggle and Sacovie White.
Coley will have a chance to get to work with all of his new players in just a couple of weeks as the Bulldogs hit the field for spring practice. Georgia announced the date of its spring game for April 13th and is expected to begin the allotted 15 practice sessions on March 12th.
