Georgia Football is undergoing another coaching change this offseason, as it was announced on Wednesday that Scott Cochran is stepping down from his role as Georgia’s special teams coordinator to explore other opportunities.
Kirk Benedict, who has served as a special teams analyst for the past two seasons, will take over as the new special teams coordinator.
Cochran was brought on by head coach Kirby Smart in 2020 to assume the role of special teams coordinator. Previously renowned as one of college football’s prominent strength and conditioning coaches during his tenure at Alabama, Cochran expressed a desire to have a more direct involvement in on-field coaching, which Smart granted him.
However, in August of the same year, Cochran announced a temporary leave from the football program, prompting Will Muchcamp to transition from analyst to co-defensive and special teams coordinator. Cochran later returned to the Bulldogs’ coaching staff in October 2021 and played a role in securing back-to-back national championships for the team.
Cochran has been open about his struggles with addiction, sharing his journey to sobriety on social media platforms.
The sudden departure of Cochran in February raised questions, with little information available regarding the circumstances. Speculation arose, with initial thoughts leaning towards health-related issues. However, alternative theories emerged,
suggesting that Cochran’s departure may have been due to dissatisfaction with his role. Despite lacking concrete details, Cochran’s track record of success with championship teams underscores his value as a coach.
While his departure from Georgia may mark a temporary absence from coaching, it is likely that Cochran will resurface in the coaching realm in the near future, given his expertise and experience in the sport.
