The greatest compliment a program can receive is others trying to poach assistants and coordinators. Alabama and Nick Saban have dealt with attrition for a decade; now, Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs are dealing with a similar issue due to their recent success.
The Dawgs have seen prominent coaches like Mel Tucker, Sam Pittman, and Dan Lanning take Power 5 head coaching gigs in recent years, and Smart’s program has done nothing but win back-to-back National Titles. Unfortunately, more attrition could be coming again this offseason with offensive coordinator Todd Monken.
The man is credited with unlocking Georgia’s ultra-talented offense, maximizing Stetson Bennett’s skillset, and bringing championships to Athens in two of the three seasons he’s worked under Smart. He’s been a hot commodity but has remained on Georgia’s staff. However, that might not last much longer because the Buccaneers are targeting the current Dawgs OC.
For the first time, #Bucs coach Todd Bowles will assemble his own offensive staff. Per me and @MikeGarafolo, one name to watch as OC: #Georgia OC Todd Monken. The former #Bucs OC could be back. https://t.co/EknZ2HKLdR
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 19, 2023
Tampa Bay just finished a lackluster season with one of the worst offenses in the league, considering the personnel on that side of the ball. The Cowboys dominated the Bucs in the Wild Card round, and Byron Leftwich was always going to be the fall guy despite the entire offense underperforming, including Tom Brady.
Monken actually worked with the Buccaneers from 2016 to 2018 as the offensive coordinator, so the connection to ownership is there. He’s the highest-profile offensive mind right now, thanks to Georgia’s recent championships; it’s only a matter of time before he accepts a promotion somewhere.
However, UGA fans shouldn’t fret. As talented and impactful as Todd Monken is, the system is in place to handle the loss. Kirby Smart has proven to be an elite recruiter and developer, evident in sending a record-breaking number of prospects to the NFL Draft and then winning a National Championship the year after. But Kirby is also an elite CEO, an often overlooked part of coaching in college football. Smart has had home run hire after home run hire. The Dawgs will be just fine with or without Todd Monken.
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Photographer: Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire
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