Documents show Rocker was fired

The mystery of Tracy Rocker’s sudden departure from the coaching staff last month was solved, at least partially.

Rocker, the Bulldogs’ defensive line coach and associate head coach, was fired. That’s according to a termination letter, dated Feb. 6, delivered to Rocker from Athletic Director Greg McGarity. That and other documents were turned over to DawgNation on Friday via an open-records request.

In a hand-delivered document, McGarity wrote:

“The decision has been made to discontinue your services as associate head coach. The University is hereby terminating your agreement of January 1, 2016. Please consider this advance written notice of your termination.”

Rocker also was asked to sign a general release form requiring him not to speak of his dismissal pending the receipt of the remainder of his pay designated in his contract. Neither the letter nor the release provides any specific reasons for Rocker’s dismissal.

Rocker was hired by former Georgia coach Mark Richt and had been with the Bulldogs since 2014. He was promoted to assistant head coach in 2015.

The terms of the release, which Rocker signed Feb. 7, call for him to continue to draw his $525,000 annual salary through Dec. 31 of this year, unless he finds another job. To date, there have been no reports of Rocker finding employment elsewhere.

In a brief interview with DawgNation last month, Rocker politely declined comment about the specifics of his departure or his plans other than to say he’s “in a happy place.”