Offensive coordinator Chaney not complacent at all year three

Published 12:01 am Monday, August 6, 2018

Georgia offensive coordinator Jim Chaney walked into the press conference room at Butts-Mehre Heritage Hall for his annual meeting with the media with his usual charisma and wit.

“Where the hell is the drum roll?,” Chaney said as he made his way to the podium. He followed that up with a quick joke by introducing himself as Georgia’s offensive coordinator.

Chaney hasn’t changed in personality the three years that he’s been with the Bulldogs. However, his mindset in leading Georgia’s offense has undergone a development as he’s learned new things along the way.

One thing that has changed is his title. This season, along with his duties as offensive coordinator, he will work with the tight ends instead of the quarterbacks.

James Coley will now take over the quarterback duties, transitioning from his previous role working with the wide receivers.

“The transition has been seamless, I’m very comfortable at the tight end spot,” Chaney said. “I think it’s actually brought a little energy to what we’re trying to get done.”

Tight ends like juniors Isaac Nauta and Charlie Woerner as well as senior Jackson Harris have known Jim Chaney the entire time he’s been at Georgia.

They’ve noticed his presence in the meeting rooms and can appreciate what he has to offer in terms of knowledge of the game.

“He is the offensive guru,” Nauta said. “Just having him around to go more in depth on what the offense entails is more exciting for us because we feel like we are getting a better understanding of it.”

As far as the offensive game plan goes, Chaney said he’s learned over the years to listen to a collection of ideas. Whether it’s hearing from assistant head coach Dell McGee on the running game, or co-offensive coordinator James Coley on the passing game, Chaney opens it up to everyone to chime in on the plan for each week.

He recalled something he heard from former Cal-State Fullerton head coach, the late Gene Murphy, on working with fellow coaches. Murphy told Chaney to always hire people that are smarter than himself.

“That’s always stuck with me,” Chaney said. “I’m fortunate on our staff to have really good people that are a lot smarter than I am, so I would be a damn fool not to listen to what they have to say.”

Coaches learn things each year on the job. Chaney’s offense last season produced two NFL running backs and took the Bulldogs within one play of a national championship. Does that make the offensive coordinator feel any different heading into this season?

“Not one bit,” Chaney said. “When I was a young coach, I once drank that Kool-Aid and thought it was about me. The next year we fell flat on our face. If you’re good at anything, you want to make sure you’re on top of your game, [and] I have to make sure I bring my ‘A’ game every year.”

Printed with permission from The Red & Black independent student media organization, based in Athens, Georgia. For more UGA sports news, visit www.redandblack.com/sports.