Smart says VanGorder as a consultant has already paid dividends

Although he’s just been assisting Georgia defensive coaches with their game plan for Georgia Tech since Wednesday, Brian VanGorder serving as a consultant has already paid dividends according to head coach Kirby Smart.

“He’s been very helpful, very knowledgeable,” Smart said after practice on Tuesday. “I have a lot of respect for Brian, always have, not only when he was here but when he moved to the NFL. We’ve always had a good relationship.”

Smart said it was his idea to contact VanGorder to ask if he would lend a hand.

“I called him and asked him. We thought he could be helpful for us this game specifically,” Smart said. “He didn’t come here until late last week and began work on Georgia Tech as part of that game plan.”

Smart did not answer when asked if VanGorder was actually getting paid.

“He’s just that, he’s a consultant,” said Smart, who added that the former defensive coordinator with the Bulldogs and Atlanta Falcons has been able to help the Bulldogs in a number of ways.

“Consultants can watch film, break down tape, he can watch tape, watch practice, observe, give opinions,” said Smart said. “He’s a consultant.”

Linebacker Davin Bellamy said VanGorder has been attending practices for the Bulldogs.

"He's out there, but he doesn't really say too much to us," Bellamy said. "He's just out there, watching us do what we do."

VanGorder, who was let go as the defensive coordinator at Notre Dame earlier this year, agreed to offer Smart and defensive coordinator Mel Tucker some assistance in defending the triple-option of Georgia Tech.

The former defensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons and defensive coordinator under Mark Richt faced the Yellow Jackets last year at Notre Dame, a contest won by the Fighting Irish 30-22.

In the game, Notre Dame allowed 337 yards, including 216 on the ground.

VanGorder spent the first four seasons with Mark Richt before leaving after the 2004 season for a two-year stint as the linebacker’s coach with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Following a one-year stint as the head coach at Georgia Southern, VanGorder went back to the NFL, this time with the Atlanta Falcons where he served as the team’s linebacker coach in 2007 before a promotion to defensive coordinator in 2008, a position he held for four years.

In 2012, VanGorder became the defensive coordinator at Auburn. He spent 2013 as the linebacker’s coach with the New York Jets until taking a job as the defensive coordinator at Notre Dame in 2014.

NOTE: Former Bulldog defensive end coach Jon Fabris and longtime high school coach Charlie Winslette, a member of the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame, attended Tuesday’s practice.