Kirby Smart has reached out to the NFL to bolster his coaching staff, hiring former Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator Todd Monken as the team's new offensive coordinator.
UGASports was the first to report the hire Friday morning.
Georgia officials later confirmed the hire on Twitter, announcing that Monken will replace James Coley as team's new offensive coordinator. It will now be Monken's charge to help to invigorate a Bulldog passing attack that ranked No. 72 in the nation with 223 yards per game.
Coley will remain on staff as an assistant head coach, the school also announced.
ESPN reporter Mark Schablach was the first to link Monken’s name to Georgia, saying he was “someone to keep an eye on.”
Smart had this to say about his new hire.
“We are excited to add Todd to our staff,” Smart said. “He has a history of establishing explosive offenses at each and every stop in his impressive career in both the National Football League and at major college football programs.”
Three players coached by Monken also had this say:
...“From my first conversation with Coach Monken on the phone, I knew he was what we needed to pick up where we left off from the 2010 season. He came in and embraced what we had and put his finger print on it and did an unbelievable job. I think guys respected him immediately because of his time in the NFL and even more once we got to work. He’s an innovative coach who brings that fire and passion you need. He’s one of my favorite coaches I had the opportunity to play for and great guy as well. We were lucky to get him and it worked out for both sides. “ - Brandon Weeden, Oklahoma State QB 2011, First Round pick in 2012 NFL Draft
...“Coach Monken is an excellent coach who will bring energy and passion every day. He’s extremely smart and will do a great job of developing his players’ knowledge of the game. He knows how to scheme receivers open and put players in the best situations to succeed. Georgia got a great offensive mind that players will have fun playing for!" - Nick Mullens, Southern Miss QB 2015, C-USA Offensive Player of the Year, currently with San Francisco 49ers.
...“Coach Monken sees the game through the quarterback’s eyes. He is aggressive and calls a game based on the strengths of his players. He does a great job of teaching and instilling confidence in the entire unit.” - Ryan Fitzpatrick, Tampa Bay QB 2017-2018, currently with Miami Dolphins.
This past year, Monken worked for Freddie Kitchens, who called plays for the Browns before being fired a few weeks ago.
The season before, Monken served as the offensive coordinator with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In 2018, the Bucs averaged 320 yards passing with quarterbacks Jameis Winston and Ryan Fitzpatrick.
Monken, 53, comes to Georgia with extensive experience in college football, including stints at LSU and Oklahoma State, before moving on to the NFL at Tampa Bay in 2016. There he took over the offensive coordinator duties in 2018 before joining Kitchens in Cleveland last year.
Monken has enjoyed success wherever he's been.
In 2018, he helped Tampa Bay lead the NFL in passing offense and finish third in the league in total offense. The Buccaneers set numerous club records, including total yards, passing yards and passing touchdowns. Wide receiver Mike Evans enjoyed a huge year in Monken's offense, as he earned his first two Pro Bowl selections and topped 1,000 receiving yards in all three seasons.
Monken came to Tampa Bay from Southern Mississippi, where he spent three seasons (2013-15) as head coach.
After taking over a program that had finished 0-12 the previous season, Monken led the turnaround that had the Golden Eagles as postseason bowl participants by the end of his third campaign. Under his guidance, Southern Miss posted a 9-5 record in 2015, winning the Conference USA West division and earning an appearance in the Heart of Dallas Bowl.
Monken earned his stripes as an offensive coordinator before that.
Prior to joining Southern Miss, Monken spent two seasons as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for Oklahoma State (2011-12), his second go-around with the Cowboys, after having worked as the passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach from 2002-04.
During his time as offensive coordinator, the team set school season records for total offensive yards, passing yards, completion percentage, points scored, and passing touchdowns. He worked with QB Brandon Weeden and WR Justin Blackmon who both went on to be first round picks in the 2012 NFL Draft.
Prior to his second stint at Oklahoma State, Monken spent four seasons (2007-10) working as the wide receivers coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars. In his time with Jacksonville, Monken coached Reggie Williams, who set a club record with 10 touchdown receptions in 2007.
Before entering the NFL, Monken served as the passing game coordinator/wide receivers coach at LSU from 2005-06, where he helped develop future first-round selections WR Dwayne Bowe and WR Buster Davis.
Monken began his coaching career at Grand Valley State, spending two seasons as a graduate assistant (1989-90), before holding the same title at Notre Dame (1991-92). He also coached at Eastern Michigan, where he worked as the defensive backs/wide receivers coach (1993-97), before being elevated to the offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach (1998-99).
He also served as the running backs coach (2000) and the wide receivers coach (2001) at Louisiana Tech.
A native of Wheaton, Ill., Monken was a three-year letter-winner at quarterback for Knox College. He earned a bachelor's degree in economics and a master's degree in education leadership from Grand Valley State. He is a member of the Knox College Athletic Hall of Fame.
