Matt Luke steps down from Georgia coaching staff

Georgia associate head coach and offensive line coach Matt Luke announced his resignation on Monday, Feb. 21.

Luke joined Kirby Smart’s staff before the 2020 season. He replaced Sam Pittman, who became the head coach at Arkansas.

“I have decided to step away from coaching and shift my focus to spending more time with my family,” Luke said in a statement. “I want to thank Coach (Kirby) Smart, his wife Mary Beth, and the entire Georgia family for an incredible past two seasons. I also appreciate Coach Smart’s support in my decision today. He’s a great coach, and I’ll always cherish his friendship.”

The 45-year-old Luke was the head coach at Ole Miss from 2017-19, fired after a 4-8 record in his third season. Overall, he had a 15-21 record at his alma mater.

Prior to becoming the head coach of the Rebels, Luke was their offensive line coach and associate head coach, and he also held positions at Duke, Tennessee and Murray State.

Georgia won the College Football Playoff following the 2021 season, defeating Alabama 33-18.

“(Luke) has been an invaluable part of our staff and played a great role in helping us win a National Championship,” Smart said in a statement. “We are so appreciative of everything he has done for Georgia Football. Matt, Ashley, and his children have been, and will continue to be, an important part of the Bulldog family and Athens community. We’re working on finding a coach that will continue to develop our young men and build our strong foundation with the offensive line.”

Spring practice for the Bulldogs is slated to begin on March 15.