Days after bringing back former Georgia staffer Mike Bobo as an analyst, Kirby Smart is calling on another former Georgia coach to lead the wide receiver position. Smart has hired Bryan McClendon as the wide receivers coach to replace Cortez Hankton, with Palmer Thombs of DawgsHQ being the first to report the news.
McClendon previously coached wide receivers at Georgia during the 2015 season. He served as the interim coach after Mark Richt had left for Miami and before Smart took over. He spent last year as the wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator at Oregon, working with Mario Cristobal. He had followed Cristobal to Miami, working as the wide receivers coach and co-offensive coordinator.
Georgia did see both George Pickens and Jermaine Burton depart this offseason, with the former heading to the NFL and the latter transferring to Alabama. The Bulldogs do bring back AD Mitchell and Ladd McConkey, who each had over 400-receiving yards during the 2021 season. McClendon will also look to get contributions out of Arian Smith, Kearis Jackson, Dominick Blaylock and Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint, as the four all battled injuries during the 2021 campaign.
Georgia still has one more staff opening, with the outside linebackers coach currently being vacant. Dan Lanning previously held that job, leaving to become the head coach at Oregon.
