College Football

Smart plucks Tucker from 'Bama staff to lead Georgia defense

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 10:30 p.m. ET

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ATHENS, Ga. (AP) Kirby Smart has added a key member to his new Georgia staff, hiring Alabama defensive backs coach and assistant head coach Mel Tucker as the Bulldogs defensive coordinator.

Smart completed his stay as Alabama's defensive coordinator with Monday night's 45-40 win over Clemson in the College Football Playoff title game. Smart previously filled other spots on his Georgia staff but waited until after the national championship game to announce early Tuesday he was taking Tucker with him to Athens.

Tucker spent one year with Smart on Alabama's staff following seven years as a NFL defensive coordinator, including the 2013-14 seasons with the Chicago Bears. He also served four years heading Jacksonville's defense. He served on Cleveland's staff for four years, including one season as defensive coordinator.

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AP College Football website: collegefootball.ap.org

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