Bulldogs Add Former FSU Football Offensive Coordinator to Their Staff

The former Seminole assistant is starting his second tenure with the Bulldogs.

James Coley, the former Florida State football offensive coordinator, has accepted the position as wide receivers coach at Georgia. He first agreed to work for South Carolina in the same job, but was taken to Athens.

Coley worked as a graduate assistant, position coach, or offensive coordinator under former Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher in three different stints (LSU, ’03-’04; FSU, ’10-’12; TAMU, ’20-’23).

In addition, Bobby Bowden hired him as a tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator in 2008.

His most significant years with the Seminoles occurred during his three-year tenure as offensive coordinator from 2010 to 2012. He tutored three first-round quarterbacks: Christian Ponder, EJ Manuel, and Jameis Winston.

Winston, of course, won the Heisman Trophy and went first overall in the 2015 NFL Draft.

In 2010 and 2011, Coley and Fisher’s offense scored more than 30 points and gained 360 yards per game. However, the biggest gain occurred in 2012, when the Seminoles averaged just under 40 points and 470 yards per game.

Furthermore, Coley’s recruiting skills helped FSU land the number one and number two recruiting classes in 2011 and 2012, according to ESPN.

This is Coley’s second tenure with the Bulldogs, having previously worked as the wide receivers coach, quarterbacks coach, offensive coordinator, and assistant head coach under Kirby Smart.

The former Seminole offensive coordinator graduated from Florida State in 1997. He has never had a head coaching position at any level, from high school to the NFL.