Mike Bobo transition expected to be easy per Kirby Smart, Georgia players

ATHENS, Ga. — Mike Bobo is back and better than ever. At least that’s how Georgia head coach Kirby Smart made it sound on Tuesday during his opening press conference of spring practice.

Bobo was promoted to offensive coordinator for the Bulldogs on February 14th following the departure of Todd Monken for the Baltimore Ravens three years into his stint in Athens.

“I think Mike has grown a lot since he went out to Colorado State and the time he has spent here,” Smart said on Tuesday. “I went against him at South Carolina, I went against him at Auburn, which gave me ultimate confidence that he would get this job done. We played them with probably the most talented defense I’ve been a part of and they went on a 16-play drive there at Auburn against us on the opening drive of the game. I just have a lot of confidence in his leadership skills and what he’ll be able to do offensively.”

Bobo played quarterback at Georgia for five season from 1993 to 1997 where he shared the field with Smart and defensive coordinator Will Muschamp. He then spent 14 years in Athens as an assistant coach under Mark Richt. The latter half of that stint was as offensive coordinator where he helped Georgia to its highest scoring season in school history in 2014. Now as he takes over a Monken-led offense that finished fourth nationally in scoring offense averaging 41.1 points per game, Smart is sure things won’t change too drastically.

“There won’t be much change in verbiage. If anything, there will be some additions, maybe some slight wrinkles. We feel like the verbiage for the kids works great,” Smart said. “He’s comfortable with the verbiage. He was in it last year with Coach Monken. Really, our entire offensive staff, you’ve got to remember when Coach Monken got here, some of that verbiage remained the same too. So it wasn’t like it was a total transformation of language. You’ve got to think about a guy like Dell McGee or Hartley who’s been here pre-Monken and now they’re here post-Monken. There’s a lot of carryover because B-Mac, Stacy, and Todd (Hartley) have all been in a room with Mike. Dell’s known Mike for a long time. The decision was the continuity we have on offense, we want to keep that going. I’ve got a lot of confidence in Mike and the job he’s done with offenses in the past.”

Bobo will work with a group of three quarterbacks this spring competing for an open starting position. That’s something that Smart said has already gotten off to a great start during offseason meetings between coaches and players. They aren’t the only ones that’ll work with him however, and based on the comments of Ladd McConkey and Kendall Milton, they aren’t the only ones already enjoying his increased presence.

“Coach Monken, I have nothing but good things to say about him. Obviously he’s done a great job here, did a great job and I hope he does good at the next level. Wish him nothing but the best,” McConkey said. “As far as Coach Bobo, he did a lot for us last year, helping us out with calling plays, giving us some insight on how to run routes and stuff like that. I’m super excited that he’s here and taking over. I’m looking forward to it, and I feel like we can be better than ever.”

“I’m definitely excited to partake in this offense with Coach Bobo,” Milton added. “Seeing what he’s put on in the past, the success running backs have had in his offenses, it makes me excited. It makes me want to go out there and keep balling out, keep working hard because the opportunity is on the table for me … I’m excited not just for me but for the whole offense to go out there one last time and be able to have fun with the guys.”

Georgia’s practice on Tuesday will be the first of 15 over the next 33 days including three scrimmages. Spring practice culminates on April 15th with the G-Day spring game in Sanford Stadium at 4:00 p.m. ET on SEC Network.