James Coley
James Coley, the former offensive coordinator for Florida State football, has officially taken on the role of wide receivers coach at Georgia. Initially slated to join South Carolina in the same capacity, Coley was ultimately swayed to Athens.
Coley boasts an extensive history with Florida State, having served under former head coach Jimbo Fisher in various capacities across three separate periods, including stints as a graduate assistant, position coach, and offensive coordinator at LSU (2003-2004), FSU (2010-2012), and Texas A&M (2020-2023). Additionally, he was recruited by Bobby Bowden in 2008 to serve as a tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator.
His most notable tenure with the Seminoles occurred during his three-year tenure as offensive coordinator from 2010 to 2012. During this period, Coley coached three quarterbacks who were subsequently selected in the first round of the NFL Draft: Christian Ponder, EJ Manuel, and Jameis Winston, the latter of whom earned a Heisman Trophy and was drafted first overall in the 2015 NFL Draft.
Under Coley and Fisher’s guidance, the Seminoles’ offense flourished, particularly in 2012, when they averaged nearly 40 points and an impressive 470 yards per game. Coley’s recruiting acumen further bolstered FSU’s success, securing the top-ranked recruiting classes in 2011 and 2012, according to ESPN’s rankings.
This marks Coley’s second stint with the Bulldogs, having previously served as wide receivers coach, quarterbacks coach, offensive coordinator, and assistant head coach under Kirby Smart. A Florida State graduate himself, Coley has never held a head coaching position at any level, from high school to the NFL.
