Could Georgia spend more this season with a new coordinator?

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ATHENS –

Georgia has its own version of the big debate as the season approaches. It revolves around the Bulldogs offensive and its first-year coordinator, James Coley.

Opinions are divided between those who will lead the offense as to what it might look like under Coley. Some, like quarterback Jake Fromm, said it was not that different from what he had in recent years under Jim Chaney. Others, such as Tyler Simmons, tend to say that it will be radically different. Coley himself said that it would be all that was needed for a given Saturday.

Faced with this confused vision, we turned to the outside for a step back.

Joe Zagacki, the singer from Miami, has been following Coley for decades. Not only has he been part of the Hurricane Broadcast Team for 31 years – where Coley was previously the only coordinator and match day interlocutor – but he also calls compatriot Miamian a friend.

Zagacki echoed Coley's comments at the start of Georgia's pre-season camp, which says the Bulldogs will be all they need to be offended. More specifically, however, he made a bold prediction.

"You will see them score a lot of points," Zagacki said.

It's always a good thing.

Really, this has not been a big problem for Georgia, not lately anyway. The Bulldogs placed 14th in the season last season in points scored (37.9 per game) and 15th in the previous season (35.8). They placed 91st in 2016, their first season under Kirby Smart and former coordinator Jim Chaney. But it was coming into play in a new recruit at the quarterback in Jacob Eason, not to mention the installation of a new regime.

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With the plays that the Bulldogs have on the offensive this season – namely the return of third-year Fromm player under center – no one expects them to suddenly have a hard time putting the ball in the end zone. It's more about how they could move it on the ground.

The last two seasons have been hotly contested. Georgia led the SEC last season (239.2 yards) and produced four backs of 1,000 yards in the past two seasons.

Meanwhile, Coley has arrived in Athens with the reputation of being a successful coordinator. Quarterback Brad Kaaya, who started as a rookie in 2014, spent more than 3,000 yards in both seasons under Coley. The Hurricanes were 34th, 34th and 25th respectively, with Coley named.

In Georgia, Coley started as a receiver coach in 2016. He became a rear quarterback coach and co-coordinator last year, then full-time coordinator and interlocutor to play this one. All the while, however, he was assisting Chaney with the game scripts and sitting next to him in the press gallery on match day.

Now that it's the Coley Show, Zagacki thinks Georgia fans will enjoy watching it.

"It will look like a typical Southeast Conference offense, with a racing game, a very good use of tight ends, a vertical pass game," Zagacki said. "He has a quarter who can throw the ball down the pitch, and he is not going to waste it. Coley knows what he has at his disposal. "

Indeed, Coley has a lot of things to work on. In addition to Fromm, he has American candidates for defender D'Andre Swift, left tackle Andrew Thomas and right tackle Isaiah Wilson. There are questions about the wide receiver, where the top four capturers from a year ago have left. But the battle for playing time is played between three former 5-star rookies, a former Miami student, a senior with 34 games under his belt and three players 6 feet 5 inches and over.

The tight position was a particular affinity position for Coley in Miami, according to Zagacki. The Hurricanes produced three tight ends, each of which was drafted in the first four rounds of the NFL draft under his watch – Clive Walford, David Njoko and Christopher Herndon. Georgia is rebuilding at this position. But confidence is high among experienced senior Charlie Woerner, the transfer of graduate Eli Wolf and rookie John FitzPatrick.

Coley knows what to do with so many different weapons, says our friend from Miami.

"People forget that Coley was under-researched by Jimbo Fisher (at Florida State) and that Jimbo was really a good player. So, he learned a lot from Jimbo and how he handled his offense, "said Zagacki. "I mean, if someone wants to shock Jimbo Fisher, take action. But Jimbo has always been very good in the match and I think that's what James took from him. He knows how to move the pieces and get the encounters he wants. "

Of course, Smart will remain involved. Georgia's defensive head coach probably does not get enough credit for his offensive attention and week-to-week appearance. This could even be more the case in this transition season.

But it still depends on the staff in place, and these prospects have thrilled Coley.

"The players, not the games, no?" Said Coley during the first week of the preparatory camp. "It's a little cliché, but it's the truth. Smart Coach is about the players, not the games. He is definitely preaching this for us. So, I do not know that there have been a lot of adjustments (in philosophy). "

According to Coley Zagacki, Coley happens to be, in addition, above all. Miami had difficulties as a football program when he was there.

"You have to understand where Miami was when James was here," Zagacki said. "I was sitting with him in his office one day and he had a very small desk, no windows, and he said," I'm supposed to come up with first-round picks and their parents here and recruit them here in Miami. " . ? Do you know what we are facing with the states of Georgia and Florida of the world? "

Now, Coley has the big desk with the beautiful view. And he has the offensive parts to play with what he always wanted.

"I will simply say this," concluded Zagacki, "our numbers have never been closer to what they've been since leaving."