Shane Beamer and James Coley worked on Kirby Smarts initial Georgia staff together back in 2016 and 2017, but it was evident at his press conference yesterday that Beamer didn't expect to lose Coley to a rival SEC program so soon after bringing him in.
But when Smart and Georgia offered Coley the opportunity to return to Athens and work with their receivers, the veteran college assistant jumped at the opportunity.
Judging from Beamer's tone and comments yesterday, he wasn't happy about having a second press conference to introduce yet another receivers coach.
Feeling some type of way about it still, Beamer seemed to take a parting shot at Coley.
“I didn’t think we’d be here again introducing a wide receivers coach, but it is what it is," he opened by saying.
"The previous receivers coach made a decision that he felt was best for his family. We collected the $450k, and then-some, for him leaving, and then it allowed us to go out and hire an even better wide receivers coach in my mind, and that's not a knock on anybody, but that's how I feel about this guy right here."
Beamer, talking about the hire of Limestone (D-II - SC) head coach and NFL veteran receiver Mike Furrey, admits that he didn't try to talk with Furrey the first time around because he "knew what he wanted to do with the position with some staff shuffling."
"Now that we had an actual search for a wide receivers coach it was a great opportunity to bring someone else in to make us better."
Hear Beamer's full comments in the clip.
Shane Beamer on Mike Furry hire/James Coley abrupt departure:
— SEC Mike (@MichaelWBratton) March 1, 2024
“The previous receivers coach made a decision that he felt was best for his family. We collected the $450,000 (buyout) and then some that we were owed for violating or leaving his contract.
“It allowed us to go out… pic.twitter.com/v4gxfQI289